UN House Bombing: SSS Offers N25m Reward On Fleeing Suspect

Nigeria’s State Security Service (SSS) yesterday offered a 25 million naira (160,000 dollars) (116,000 euros) reward for information on the “mastermind” of the August 26 bombing of the  UN building in Abuja that killed 23 people.

“A reward of 25 million naira is being offered for information that could lead directly to the apprehension or conviction of Mamman Nur, identified as the mastermind” of the attack, the SSS said.

“Following the bombing of the UN building by Boko Haram, Mammman Nur was identified as the mastermind and security agencies subsequently declared him wanted,” the statement signed by the SSS Spokesman, Mariln Ogar, noted.

The SSS requested members of the public to give any information on the suspect to the nearest police station, military formation or any other security agency.

The SSS attached the photograph of Nur to the email statement.

A suicide bomber on August 26 made his way through a gauntlet of security at the UN’s main compound in Abuja, forcing his way through the gate before ramming into the building.

The resulting explosion blew up the building’s first two floors, killing 23 people and leaving 116 others wounded, some seriously.

It was one of the bloodiest attacks targeting the UN.

Radical Islamist Boko Haram sect has claimed responsibility for the attack.

“It was an assault not just on our premises, but on our values and our work. There can be no justification for such wanton killing and destruction.”

The SSS had earlier said that an Al-Qaeda-linked suspect who recently returned from Somalia masterminded the attack.

A memorial service was held last Thursday in front of the heavily damaged UN building, attended by more than 1,000 people, including Nigerian government and military officials, UN personnel, diplomats, families of the deceased and religious leaders.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan will hold talks with several world leaders on the sidelines of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly this week in New York, his office said in a statement yesterday.

Jonathan will deliver his statement to the General Assembly on Wednesday and “confer with several world leaders on the strengthening of bilateral relations between Nigeria and their countries”, it said.

He is scheduled to meet with Presidents Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Sebastian Pinera (Chile), Mahinda Rajapaska (Sri Lanka), Vaclav Klaus (Czech Republic), Pal Schmitt (Hungary), Mikhail Shaskashvili (Georgia), Jacob Zuma (South Africa), Prime Ministers Pedro Coelho of Portugal and Yoshihiko Noda of Japan.

Before returning to Abuja on Friday, he will also meet with some leading players in the global economy, including the chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil worldwide, Rex Tillerson, and Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, the statement said.

Eze Dr Chukumela Nnam Obi II, Oba of Ogbaland (left) in a handshake with former Military Governor of Rivers State, Group Capt Sam Ewang (rtd) during the presentation of the biography of former Military Administrator of Old Rivers State, King Alfred Diete-Spiff’s in Port Harcourt, last Thursday. Photo Prince Dele Obinna