The arrested member of a militant gang that plotted to bomb the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State, Abiodun Amos (aka Senti), has disclosed that the Federal Government’s failure to consider his group for amnesty triggered the destruction bid.
Amos, whose group operates in Ikorodu and Arepo areas of Lagos and Ogun states, planned to bomb the bridge end of November before his arrest by the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
Amos also narrated the genesis of the group’s agitation.
His words: “We went into bank robberies and kidnapping because we wanted to get government’s attention and all we wanted was for them to grant us amnesty and also offer us pipeline protection contract.
“We have made several appeals but government is not listening to us. ‘‘General” Ossy (leader of the gang) said if we don’t blow up the Third Mainland Bridge, government will not listen to us. We had concluded plans to carry out the attack by November ending.
‘’I am the group’s explosives expert and before I was arrested we were going into the creeks to conclude plans on how to carry out the attack.”
The suspect, also popularly known as Senti, said his group stopped pipeline vandalism, and resorted to kidnapping when it became difficult for them to continue with the heavy presence of the military and policemen.
Amos is a 43-year-old native of Arogbo in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
According to a statement by police spokesman, Don N. Awunah, the suspect (Amos) was arrested in a hideout on the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State, with two AK 47 rifles in his possession.
Recall that about six months ago, a militant group, Asawana Deadly Force of Niger Delta, issued a definite date when it would carry out bombing operations in Bonga Field, Onitsha-Asaba Bridge, Third Mainland Bridge, and other major bridges across the southern part of the country.
The group which claimed to have taken over from the Niger Delta Avengers vowed to bomb the places on Saturday July 2, 2016.