How To Identify A Suicide Bomber

Police Force PRO, Frank Mba has stated easy ways Nigerians
can identify a suicide bomber if they spot one. He described the way they
move, their reactions, how they try to avoid eye contacts with people around
and lots more. What he said;

Characteristics of a potential suicide bomber

There is no specific profile for anyone who engages himself
in suicide bombing. A suicide bomber can come from nearly every cultural
background, religion, race, creed or gender. However, the following are common
characteristics of a potential suicide bomber. Continue below…

Through his behaviour

He behaves in a way similar to someone with no future.

His mental state could present clues – his eyes are
secretive, he makes obvious attempt to avoid eye contact with the people he
perceived to be his enemies and always looking at every possible exit.

Mumbling prayers – may be fervently praying to himself,
showing the impression of whispering to someone else.

He shows no response to any authoritative voice, command or
instruction.

Through his appearance

He wears clothes that are unsuitable for the present-day
weather. For instance, wearing of sweater or rain-coat during hot weather.

He wears slack or puffy clothes. This gives the impression
that his body is excessively larger than his head or feet.

Sweating – resulting from tension and stress or wearing of
unsuitable clothes. For instance, wearing a heavy coat during high weather
temperature.

He appears to be focused and more vigilant on his target.

He will usually have his hands placed in the pocket,
around the button of the detonator and ready to set off the bomb at the
slightest opportunity.

He carries big bags or backpacks tightly with wires
piercing out of the bag.

He may most likely have a clean shave or low hair-cut
especially when he is ready to carry out the task. This may be done to disguise
his real appearance.

He displays signs of drug use. For instance, his pupils
become enlarged with fixed staring.

His breathings are heavy and rapid.

Mostly male who falls between the age range of 16 to 30
years of age.

He looks aggressive, restless, irritable and nervous.

Through his movement

He walks awkwardly or clumsily in an unusual and odd
manner. This is usually due to the unsuitable attire he is wearing and
sometimes due to the weight of the explosive devices tied around his body.

He tries to be evasive in movement. This unusual gait is
adopted to evade security agents and some other persons who may foil his plans.

Often times, he may not know the route to his target
destination very well, hence he may occasionally ask for directions. One of the
suicide bombers that struck at a church in Kaduna in late 2013 had to ask
commercial motorcyclists for direction to the church he eventually struck.

Through his kind of person/other features

He tries to blend into a group which he clearly does not
belong to. For instance, he tries to attend Church worship services even as a
non-Christian with clear intention to carry out surveillance and identify
vulnerable areas before attack.

He demonstrates forceful actions in order to reach his
desired target by pushing the crowd so as to find his way into a restricted
area or showing desperations to reach a crowded point or particular target.

He will usually have an unusual herbal smell. This is as a
result of incense used in the final rituals performed on him as he takes off
for the suicide mission.