A Federal High Court in Abuja has heard how a suspect implicated in the 2011 bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja joined a terror organisation. Mohammed Bashir Saleh, the second defendant, revealed in a video recording played in court that he joined Khalid Al-Barnawi, a notorious terrorist kingpin, in Bauchi shortly before the attack. The relationship between the two allegedly blossomed from that moment.
Al-Barnawi, also known by various aliases, was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in 2016, five years after the attack that killed over 20 people and injured more than 70 others. He is being prosecuted alongside Saleh, Umar Mohammed Bello, Mohammed Salisu, and Yakubu Nuhu.
During the trial, the court viewed a video recording of an interview with Saleh and began cross-examining the third prosecution witness. The witness, who works in the DSS’s Technical Department, testified about setting up audio and video recording equipment for interviews and conducting forensic examinations. The witness also confirmed recording the interview session with Al-Barnawi and translating his statement.
The cross-examination was temporarily halted due to the judge’s other engagements, and the case was adjourned until March 2. The trial is part of an ongoing effort to determine the voluntariness of the defendants’ confessional statements.
The 2011 bombing of the UN building in Abuja was a significant attack on an international agency’s property in Nigeria, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggles with terrorism. The prosecution of Al-Barnawi and his alleged accomplices is a crucial step in bringing those responsible to justice. As the trial continues, the court will examine the evidence and testimonies to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendants. The case is being closely watched, and its outcome is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism.
