The Uganda Police has set out to educate the general public about suicide bombings and the characteristics of suicide bombers so that they are able to prevent terrorist attacks and save lives in the process.
This comes after a series of bombings in the country in the last few days that left the public terrified.
They include the suicide bombing on a SWIFT Safari bus and the failed attempt of a suicide attack in Pader district.
“We want to inform the public that the terrorist strategy of suicide attacks, against civilians is a very dangerous plot,” Police Spokesperson CP Fred Enanga warned in a press release.
He pointed out that since suicide attacks are a new phenomenon in Uganda, it is important that information pertaining to the characteristics of suicide bombers is made known to members of the general public so that they are able to thwart terrorist attacks rather than helplessly waiting on the police.
As such, lessons have been taken from countries that have ably dealt with and faced suicide attacks like Israel, in so doing developing guidelines and profiles that highlight the general characteristics of suicide bombers.
“We strongly believe that once a person is armed with specific information about a suspicious person, who intends to detonate him or herself, he or she can easily prevent or thwart a terrorist attack and save lives,” Enanga said in the statement.
Among the guidelines and profiles are the fact that; they participate in months of indoctrination, are in a ‘hypnotic state’ when ready for the mission believing it will open heaven for them.
Majority are not married but some have spouses and children and most are males between 17 – 23 years, although women and children can also be recruited.
“The first known suicide bombing was by the Al-Shabaab suicide bomber in 2010. The second such attack was that of Matovu Isaac alias Muzafalu, that occurred on the SWIFT Safari bus. We believe there are still more who have been radicalized into the ranks of suicide bombers,” the statement reads.
Among the general characteristics of suicide bombers, particular behavioural characteristics of a suicide bomber have been identified and they include;
Having a nervous appearance with a pre-occupied or blank stare, focused intent and vigilance sometimes making them nonresponsive to contact, awkward attempts to blend in hence appearing odd and overtly out of place, and they have avoidance behaviours towards authority(security).
A suspect may be praying fervently to him or herself which will make it look like they are talking to themselves or on a cell phone.
They may behave like they have no future hence buy one-way tickets, give away valuables or seemed unconcerned about receiving change for a purchase. Sweating profusely out of sync with the weather usually due to nervousness, walking deliberately toward a specific target often forcing their way through barriers or crowds, stiffness in the lower torso due to the bomb device strapped to the body and attaining a noticeably new look to disguise their appearance.
Finally, they use scented water in order to smell nice when going to heaven.
With this information, civilians have a chance at identifying a suicide bomber before he detonates him or herself.