[size=14pt]Body parts of UN House bomber Barra recovered[/size]
By Yusuf Alli, Abuja 14/09/2011 00:35:00

Probe confirms use of advanced explosives

More than three weeks after the bombing of the UN House in Abuja, experts from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other countries are still battling to uncover the sponsors of the attack in which 23 people died.

But some parts of the body of the suicide bomber, Abu Barra, have been retrieved for forensic analysis, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Investigators have discovered that the suicide bomber detonated sophisticated explosives, according to security sources. This has made experts probing the incident to look beyond the Boko Haram sect in seeking answers to the incident, it was gathered.

The UN is said to have taken over the probe of the incident with a mandate to the investigators to expose those behind it.

Although the FBI, the UN and other foreign experts are co-ordinating their activities from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nigerian security agencies are performing only supportive roles, it was learnt.

A top source, who pleaded not to be named because he is not authorised to talk to the media, said: “FBI and other foreign investigators are still intermittently mopping up at the UN House. That is why the wreckage of the building has not been evacuated and most of the vehicles left intact the way they were since the incident.

“The investigators have succeeded in retrieving some parts of the body of the suicide bomber, Abu Barra, including blood clot, for forensic and DNA tests.

“Preliminary findings have confirmed the use of sophisticated explosives but the true identity of the suicide bomber is still being unravelled through forensic and DNA tests.

“Nobody knows whether he was a Nigerian or not. But the main target is the unmasking of the sponsors. That is the huge task given to the investigators.”

The theory the investigators are working on is that three groups of people may have been behind the spate of bombings in the country.

“Those being suspected are unnamed ex-military officers, aggrieved politicians, and religious fundamentalists who might be agents of al-Qaeda.

“I think the nature of the bombings appears to be hi-tech based, that Boko Haram might not be able to afford. This kind of discovery suggests high-profile sponsorship.

“That is why the UN is more interested in the sponsors; operational bases of Boko Haram sect than the sect’s foot-soldiers.”

Asked when the investigation will end, the source said it was impossible to say, adding: “These foreign investigators liaise with the Office of the National Security Adviser; they are virtually operating from there.”

Security has been strengthened in all embassies.

Another security source said: “We got intelligence reports that some embassies might be the targets of these bombers and instead of isolating a few ones, we decided to protect all of them.

“This security beef-up is extended to the embassies of African countries too. Those deployed are on 24 hours alert.”

http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/19490-body-parts-of-un-house-bomber-barra-recovered.html

Good development.

A good development. But assuming they managed to get details of the DNAs, do we have any data bank in this country? If the bomber was a foreigner then he must have passed through immigration but if he happened to be a local champion i doubt this will yield anything.

i hope this investigation will have end.