Suleja Bombing: Suspects were promised 72 virgins each as reward – Witness tells court

It was a shocking revelation at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday after an Army Officer testified that four prime suspects of the Suleja bombing were promised 72 virgins each as motivation.

The officer, whose identity was concealed for obvious reason testified in the case filed by the State Security Service (SSS) against six persons suspected to be the brains behind the Suleja/Madalla bomb blast.

The suspects who appeared in court are: Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana-Umar, Mohammed Ali and Musa Adam.

The army officer told the honorable court that the information was obtained from a mobile-phone seized from the suspects when they were apprehended in Gumel Junction, Kachia, Kaduna State.

He disclosed that a total of four mobile phones were ceased from the suspects.

The officer revealed that the information was contained in one of the mobile and a secret code on how to go about the detonation.

It would be recalled that the aforementioned were nabbed on July 28, 2011 in Kachia, Kaduna State on their way to the state capital where the Vice President, Arch. Namadi Sambo and other eminent Nigerians were to grace a public function the following morning at the township stadium.

The duo of Umar Ibrahim and Shuaibu Abubakar, were accused of being the brains behind multiple bombings and killings in Suleja and Madalla both in Niger State.

The messages contained in the cell-phone reads: “Do a deed which Allah by his grace and mercy saves you from the punishment of the grave and a dangerous bridge with a speed of light.

“Save you from the greatest fear. Allow you save from hell fire. 70 members of your family shall marry you 72 virgins in paradise, gives you a crown of respect, which even the prophet will be impressed with.

“Keep your soul in the green birds of paradise and your wish to return to the World and die as he died because of the good blessings and reward you encounter after such noble last deed. I pray for you to do such a noble deed,” the message stated.

However, counsel to the accused persons, Mr Emeka Okoro, applied for a brief adjournment in order for him to access the officer’s statement, which was presented before the court at that moment.

After hearing from both parties, Justice Bilkisu Aliyu adjourned the case to Friday, December 6.

He also ordered the State Security Service (SSS) to make available the army officer’s statement to the counsel to the accused persons.