Witnesses said the uniformed soldier attempted to pass through the congregation during Juma’at service and refused to declare the contents of his bag when he was asked to do so, prompting suspicion that the bag contained explosives.
Citizens have become very vigilant at worship centres and other public places out of fear of Boko Haram attacks. As part of measures to forestall attacks, especially suicide bombings, worshippers are now made to undergo physical searches before they are allowed to enter churches and mosques while most worship centres no longer allow bags in their premises.
Speaking on the incident at the mosque yesterday, one resident said “It took the intervention of vigilantes who whisked him (Air Force personnel) to Dubeli Police Station where he was protected by the police. People were apprehensive because of recent happenings. It is a common fact that Boko Haram insurgents do wear military uniforms”.
Confirming the incident, the Adamawa State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Othman Abubakar, said the Air Force personnel was attending Juma’at prayer at the mosque when a false alarm was raised against him.
DSP Abubakar said if not for the timely intervention of the police, the military man would have been lynched and advised the public to report suspicious people to the police instead of taking the law in their hands.
No comments:
Post a Comment