SUSPECTED criminals in a vehicle laden with explosive devices were intercepted in Bauchi State on Wednesday, as they traveled along the Bauchi-Gombe roadway in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state.
Unfortunately, the driver and his fellow occupants in the Volkswagen Golf sedan escaped arrest from law enforcement, although their cache of explosives was held.
An information officer of Alkaleri Local Government, Mu’azu Haruna Juji, told journalists that the interception was made possible as a result of the checkpoint mounted on the road by men of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the boot of the car was left open, which fuelled the suspicion of the soldiers who were checking each vehicle passing through the checkpoint, adding that the soldier approached the car and asked the occupants why they left the boot open.
Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Hassan Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying that the command had been notified of the interception, although he said his office is yet to be furnished with the “details of the incident.”
According to Mr. Mohammed, “Until when receive the details from the Alkaleri divisional police officer, we cannot give you the detail now.”
Meanwhile, a top security source in the state who requested anonymity said the interception would is a notable success in preventing another attack on unsuspecting members of the public.