My Imam initiated me into Boko Haram-Alleged bomb suspect

One of the houses bombs were recovered

One of the suspects, Haulaki, also known as Abdulwaheed Nasiru, arrested for being part of those that severally bombed Abuja, killing many and injuring others, has revealed how the Imam, in the mosque he used to worship, initiated him into becoming a member of  the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The suspect, with four other suspected terrorists, were arrested in Abuja and charged to court on Thursday. Before he was taken to court however, he spoke with some journalists.

A police source said that the suspects were behind some of the bomb explosions in Abuja. Exhibits and information gathered from scenes of explosions, led to the waterloo of Haulaki and others.

Indeed, exhibits and intelligence gathered from the scene of the explosions were transferred to the Special Intelligence Response Team, (SIRT). SIRT is a new squad created by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Solomon Arase, to combat terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping and various other violent crimes.

 SIRT operatives trailed two   of the suspects, Abdulazeez Muhazab and Ishiaka Salihu, to a house at Karmajiri, behind Military Area, Cemetery, off Airport Road, Abuja. It was there they recovered several explosives, detonators, chemicals; in both liquid and powder form. The liquid and chemical are apparently used in making bombs.

The suspects fingered Haulaki and Abu Hamza as their leaders in Abuja.

Haulaki, whose wife is currently pregnant, described himself a primary school drop out. He’s a Muslim, from Kogi State.

He further said:  “I came to Abuja seven years ago to learn auto mechanic at Games Village. I graduated four years before establishing my workshop at Galadimawa Roundabout.  In 2013, I joined Boko Haram. There’s mosque along the road, before Total Filling Station, in Aiyoke Area of Okene, Kogi State.   I rented an apartment very close to the mosque. One of the sons of the landlord of that house, Abubakar, was my friend. Abubakar was killed during an operation. Abubakar regularly visited that mosque. He was the person who introduced me to the Imam. The Imam is also the owner of the mosque. His name is Mustapha.  Mustapha is currently in the custody of security agents.  Mustapha initiated me into the Boko Haram sect. He urged me through his teachings, after Jumat, Saturdays and Sundays prayers, to be faithful to God.

“He said I should do Allah’s wishes. I should oppose those going against the teachings of Prophet Mohammed. Mustapha used to urge us to support the cause of Jihad in the North Eastern part of the country in any way we could. He said if we could not donate ourselves or money to the cause, we should pray for those waging the war.” 

When Haulaki and others were arrested, the Squad recovered several Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), laptop and bomb making material.   

A police source said that the arrest of the suspects, had since thrown other members of the sect, located at IgbIra in Okene area of Kogi State, into panic.  

A police source further said: “Several members of the sect, based in Abuja, are returning to Okene. Some of the suspects were arrested, while others had been forced to escape and relocate to neighbouring states.”

Haulaki was handed over to the police and during interrogations, he mentioned the addresses of three houses within Abuja and Suleija, Niger State, where the sect used to produce and store explosives.

The team advanced to Gauaraka area in Suleja, Niger State. The team found five readymade IEDS, chemicals used for bomb making, detonator, HP laptop, two books on several chemicals and engineering materials, an Ipad loaded with IED, plate number of a car, digital timer and a knife. Haulaki also led the operatives to Galadima area, where a senior member of the sect, Adulahi Nasir, a local electronic engineer was grabbed.

Speaking further on his initiation, Haulaki said: “In some of the teachings of my Imam, he told us that western education was a sin and working for the government was also a sin. He asked those who had gone through secondary and university education to destroy their certificates.  A lot of people, who graduated from secondary and university in that mosque, destroyed their certificate.  That singular gesture endeared me to the sect.  Aside Abubakar, I met some other young men, like Usman, Abduljalal, Abu Hamza, Bilal and Haron.  These men were highly devoted to the cause. They told me that they usually rob unbelievers and use the money to support the cause.   Abu Hamza is our leader. He is also one of the bomb manufacturers.  He was the one who led us to rob two banks in Owo Ondo State and Okene Kogi State. It’s through that means that he raised money for bomb materials and others.

“He was the one who also taught Usman how to make bombs.  I’m a very good driver. My duty is to drive to various destinations.  I don’t ask if there were bombs in vehicles given to me to drive to a particular venue.”

He recounted that a few months ago; some plainclothes policemen came and arrested Abu Hamza. Another day, another set of policemen came for Usman.

After their arrest, there was perceived tension. He was instructed to begin to move the bombs to a safe location.

His words: “I was instructed by senior members of our sect to move all readymade bombs and materials out of Usman’s house in   Suleja. I moved them to my brother’s house. My brother is also a member of our sect at Iddo area of Abuja. I delivered two Ak47 rifles and some bombs to a senior member, Abu Husssien. He took them to Okene.  Few days before the last Sallah celebration, some vigilante men arrested and handed me over to the military intelligence. They detained and later handed me over to the police team.”