One Santiago
Alexander, a foreign national who claimed to be the country director of ACTED,
an international non-governmental organisation (iNGO), has been arrested for
breaching security protocol at the Borno state government house, in Maiduguri.
TheCable reports that Santiago, was detained after he was
intercepted on Wednesday around 4 pm inside a grey coloured Sienna with
registration number MAG 479 RM.
Santiago, whose country of origin was not ascertained as of
press time, was close to the official residence of Babagana Zulum, the state
governor, and had no form of identification when he was intercepted. Santiago’s
driver identified as Abubakar Suleiman also had no form of identification on
him.
The suspect claimed that he lost his way while trying to locate a multipurpose hall where a meeting of the Joint Planning Board (JPB) and National Council on Development Planning was taking place within the government house.
He admitted being at the same hall the previous day
(Tuesday) for the three-day event.
The governor’s residence is located about 500 meters from
the hall, and with a security point, which has the governor’s entrance
gate. Despite being at the hall on Tuesday, Santiago’s driver
suspiciously went around the gate, drove near the governor’s office and headed
towards the residence.
The point where the driver was intercepted was over 1km from
the hall which Santiago claimed he was going despite evident landmarks and road
bends to indicate that they were heading in a different direction.
Security details at the government house suspected foul play
when Suleiman ignored waves to stop after breaching security. The details had
to chase and intercept the vehicle.
They further got suspicious given that the event hall where
Santiago claimed he was heading had multiple posters, banners and vehicles
— all of which made the location too conspicuous to be missed.
When interrogated, Santiago, who was not on an invitation to
the government house, said he was there to deliver a mail to one Oluseyi Fatuyi
of the department of international cooperation from the federal ministry of
finance who was in Maiduguri for the three-day JTB meeting.
Fatuyi confirmed having an appointment with Santiago.
Zulum has directed the state commissioner of police to take
over the case for further investigation.
ACTED SUSPENDED IN JUNE OVER SHOOTING TRAINING
ACTED, which Santiago claimed to be heading, was suspended in June on
Zulum’s directive for using a hotel for training its staff on shooting.
The state government said the French iNGO was found using
toy guns and simulators in training exercises after residents reported to
officials that they were hearing sounds of gunshots from the hotel.
The governor subsequently ordered the sealing off of the
hotel and suspension of ACTED from any humanitarian activity in the state.
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