EXCLUSIVE: 97 Per Cent of Suicide Bombing are Carried Out With Cars, Says Police

The top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police, Thursday revealed that 97 per cent of the suicide bombing carried out by terrorists in the country, especially the recent incidents at THISDAY, United Nations and Force Headquarters, were executed through the help of automobiles. 

The police were responding to the controversies that have trailed the recent introduction of the Police Biometrics Central Motor Registry (BCMR), which was rebuffed by the public.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police, who underscored the importance of the new technology, said it would drastically reduce terrorism and crime.

He said, "Our study has revealed that 97 per cent of suicide bombing that has taken place were carried out by the suicide bombers using automobiles. 

"And unfortunately, once they carry out such attacks, there was no way to identify them and bring them to book. The attacks on THISDAY Newspaper, the United Nations building, Police Headquarters, all in Abuja, were all carried out with cars.

"So if we have all the details of all cars registered in the BCMR, even if the vehicle was burnt in the aftermath of the bombing, all we have to do is go through the debris and etch out the chasis number and run it on our system."

Mba added that it would aid investigation and speed up the process because once the details of any particular car is detailed in the platform, a check would reveal the detail of the owner of the vehicle as well as his next of kin.

He said, "The BCMR is a veritable tool that would aid the police in fighting crime such as terrorism, car theft, kidnapping, smuggling and armed robbery, as well as ensure effective manning of our borders.

"It would also go a long way to curb the rate at which cars are stolen and ensure that the police are always on too of their game in safeguarding lives and properties of the citizenry."

Refuting claims that a deadline has been set to punish defaulters, MBA said  the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has magnanimously mandated that heavy enlightenment and sensitisation be done first.