Why we planned to bomb third mainland bridge - prime suspect

Abiodun Amos (aka Senti), the leader of a militant gang that was arrested for plotting to bomb the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos state, has disclosed that the federal government’s failure to consider he and his members for amnesty triggered their decision to cause havoc.

Amos, who is one of the leaders of a notorious militant group operating in Ikorodu and Arepo areas of Lagos and Ogun states, planned to bomb the bridge end of last month before his arrest by the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, led by Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, frustrated its efforts.

Abiodun Amos says the federal government’s failure to consider he and his members for amnesty triggered their decision to bomb the 3rd mainland bridge.

He said: “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 was hitherto involved in pipeline vandalism, noting that it resorted to kidnapping when it became difficult for its members to continue with the illegal business due to the 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, Amos’ arrest was made on in a hideout on the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos state, and that two AK 47 rifles were recovered from 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 of the country.

The group which claimed to have taken over from the Niger Delta Avengers vowed to bomb the mentioned places on Saturday July 2, 2016.