Man ‘strapped with fake bomb’ arrested while attempting to rob UBA Bank in Plateau – Police

A young man identified as Benjamin Basil, an ND1 Civil Engineering student of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin-Ladi, attempted to rob UBA bank at the Sparkling junction in Dadin Kowa area of Jos South local government area on Monday.

it was earlier reported that a man planning to detonate a bomb in a bank was caught by a mob in the same area on Monday.

However, it was later revealed that the suspect, now in police custody, had strapped himself with a fake Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and held two travel bags as he demanded N100m from the bank cashier.

Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, addressing newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Jos
Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, addressing newsmen at the Command’s Headquarters in Jos
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, confirmed that the items strapped to the suspect’s body were found to be fake upon analysis.

He said, On 13th May 2024 at about noon, we received a distress call from UBA Sparkling Junction, Dadin Kowa, reporting a suspected armed robber who had entered the banking hall with suspected explosive devices tied around his body, and handed over a note to the cashier demanding for the sum of 100 million naira under the threat that the explosives would be detonated if his request is not granted.

“The bank attendant reported to the Manager of the bank who swiftly reported to the Police at Rantya Division and evacuated the customers from the bank. On sensing danger, the suspect tried to run away but was apprehended with the help of the youths. The items on him have been analyzed by our experts and found to be fake. The case is under investigation at the State CID.”

Exhibits recovered from robbery suspects
However, The suspect claimed to have been kidnapped and forced to carry out the robbery under threat of death by unknown persons.

Additionally, the Police Commissioner mentioned a separate armed robbery incident that occurred on May 7th, where a man named Danladi Vennim was attacked and his motorcycle was stolen at gunpoint.

Also, a suspect named Suleiman Mohamadu was arrested in connection to this incident, and a locally fabricated AK47 rifle was recovered from him along with one round of ammunition. The suspect confessed to committing the crime after interrogation by the police.