LAGOS—Anxiety about the potential danger posed by the continued elusiveness of the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing in Madalla, Suleija has spurred the security forces to combine efforts at tracing and apprehending him.
Kabiru Umar (a.k.a. Kabiru Sokoto)
We Learnt, yesterday, that men of the State Security Service, SSS, on the trail of Kabiru Umar (a.k.a. Kabiru Sokoto), the dreaded Boko Haram suspect who escaped from Police custody earlier in the week, trailed him to Toto Local Government Area in Nasarawa State. This came even as the Nigeria Police, yesterday, declared him wanted and placed a N50 million ransom on his head.
Investigations revealed that men of the SSS swung into action with a view to helping a sister organization (Police) to track down an alleged killer.
Cross section of Deputy Inspector General of Police taking decision
According to a source, “the reason why the SSS is on the trail of the suspect is because an assessment of the situation suggests that in the event that he sneaks back into the area, the consequences may be worse. There is a need for the security agencies to partner effectively and that was what the SSS attempted to do.
“Unfortunately, the SSS could not intercept nor arrest the suspect”. the fear today is that the suspect may sneak back and wreck havoc.
Police places N50m as reward
Aftermath of President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive to the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim to produce the Boko Haram Number 2 man dead or alive, the Nigeria Police force has declared him wanted and placed a N50 million ransom on his head.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Olusola Amore, the Police noted that Sokoto was wanted in connection with series of bombings and terrorist acts across the Northern parts of the country, especially the Christmas Day bombing of a church in Madalla, near Abuja.
The statement read: “The Police High Command has declared Kabiru Umar (a.k.a. Kabiru Sokoto) wanted in connection with cases of bombing and terrorism across the Northern States of the Federation, especially the Christmas-Day bombing of a Church at Madalla, Niger State which resulted into wanton destruction of lives and property.
“Kabiru Umar who hails from Biu, Borno State, was last known to be residing at Bulletin Quarters, Abaji, FCT. He is aged 28 years, fair in complexion and speaks English, Hausa and Arabic languages fluently. The Nigeria Police has therefore placed a monetary reward of N50 million for anyone who has useful information regarding whereabouts of the suspect or that will lead to his arrest. Such person should please report to the nearest Police Station nationwide”.
Senate orders probe of escape of suspected Xmas Day Bomber
DISTURBED by the escape of the suspected bomber, the Senate yesterday ordered its committee on Police Affairs to immediately commence full investigation of the circumstances that led to the ugly scenario.
The Senator Paulinus Igwe led Committee was given one week to return to the Senate for further discussions and action.
Meanwhile, Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido, has described the story of the disappearance of the suspect as shocking, even as he said that those directly involved in the saga must be severely dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.
Also yesterday, the Senate went into a closed session to discuss as gathered, issues relating to insecurity in the country and the mysterious disappearance of one alleged to be involved in very high profile case of terrorism.
Also yesterday, the Senate went into a closed session to discuss as gathered, issues relating to insecurity in the country and the mysterious disappearance of one alleged to be involved in very high profile case of terrorism.
The Senate also agreed to screen Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, President Goodluck Jonathan’s nominee for confirmation as the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the floor of the Senate, the way it did to his predecessor, Mrs Farida Waziri at a date yet to be fixed.
Moving a motion and citing order 42 (2) of the standing rule of the Senate, which deals with matters of urgent public importance, Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Paulinus Igwe, PDP, Ebonyi Central however sought the leave of the Senate to probe what he described as a shameful escape of this bomber.
“I want to draw the attention of this Senate to the alleged escape of Kabiru Sokoto who allegedly masterminded of the Christmas Day 2011 bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State from police custody. I therefore in line with our order 42 (2) rule of this Senate to move a motion on this subject matter on another legislative day, ‘’ he said.
Responding, Senate President David Mark who noted that Igwe had had discussion with him on the issue, stressed that it would be better for the Committee on Police Affairs to begin a full scale investigation into the matter and report back to the Senate within one week, adding, “What he wants is that the Committee on the police Affairs should commence full investigation because of the nature of the matter which borders on security, I will suggest that the Senate mandate the Committee to commence full investigation and report back to us within one week.”
Speaking with Journalists yesterday, Ewherido who is the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport stressed that there must have been connivance by some members of the police in charge of guarding the Mr Kabiru Sokoto “otherwise, a suspect of that caliber cannot just escape from police custody.
‘’While I will not support the call in some quarters for the sack of the Inspector General of Police, I suggest that the IGP must go cracking in order to unravel the connivance of some of his men in the saga. We cannot condole acts of indiscipline and indolence in the police force”, he said adding that those found culpable of having hands in the suspect’s escape saga should be brought to book.
It will be recalled that the suspect, a high ranking member of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, that claimed responsibility for the attack, was arrested at Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, last Saturday.
The thereafter escaped on Sunday when he was being led in a Toyota Hilux van to his Abaji, FCT residence by about 10 policemen, for a search.
It will be recalled that the suspect, a high ranking member of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, that claimed responsibility for the attack, was arrested at Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, last Saturday.
The thereafter escaped on Sunday when he was being led in a Toyota Hilux van to his Abaji, FCT residence by about 10 policemen, for a search.
Also recall that the Police had claimed that on citing their vehicle, Abaji youths attacked the policemen and set Sokoto, who was in handcuffs, free and in a bid by security operatives to re arrest Sokoto, they opened fire and a 28-year old HND student was shot dead in the ensuing confusion.
The Police Commissioner, Zakari Biu, who was in charge and sent his men on the assignment was subsequently suspended by the Police High Command on Tuesday.
Nigerian Police here is the clue you are looking 4: the Police Commissioner is Zakari BIU while the suspect is Kabiru Umar from BIU. So why go to Sokoto when u have it in sokoto? Donate my N50m reward to families of the victims of Christmas blast.
ReplyDeleteShameless people and a coward for a president God help Nigerians,a terrorist arrested in a Governors lodge and nothing is been said about the issue,now escaped from police custody 5om naira reward.Who is fooling who? 100M naira compensation for the family of slained Boko Haram leaderpaid by state and FG funds total silence from the presidency and goverment.Jonathan who really are you and are you sure u are there cos Nigerians really voted you or you are a president born from another deceitful agenda? Nigerians want to know cos things are not going or appearing according to our expectations.
ReplyDeleteImagine these idiots police, they think that every body can be bribe just as they bribe them to allow the suspect escape and now they think they can decieve nigerians by telling us they were attack by youth.
ReplyDeleteWe've know you people as most corrupted force in nigeria, so we are not surprise afterall the man his still in your hand. better go and bring the suspect out where you kept him pendings his realise and stop fulling at your selves. useless and stupid Police
imagine the nonsense being peddled by the police for their ineptitude!am really sick and tired of this shenanigan by the men in black, though some wear blue but still have their hearts tainted by the colour black. it is almost 24hrs that the shoeless guy gave . . .!yet,nothing has been reported to have cracked. or is it simply a case of let the "ineptitude IGP retire with his good name"?history will not judge this man right, so i strongly believe the shoeless guy shouldn't also. but try to justle this ineptitude act of the Nigerian Police with the mass mobilization of the men in black to teargas innocent citizens of our great Country!really accolades should be paid to the Nigerian Police force as the worst the world is yet to see.stand up for recognition,our gallant police force, "the defender of the oppressor"!crazy bunch.
ReplyDeleteIs there any honourable man in position of authority in Nigeria Government. the sanctity of the office of the president of the federation has been compromised either by the occupant's sheer incapacitation or gross incompetency as to effectively carry out the duty required of the president. In a sane society where the president or prime-minister as the case may be is truly in charge, the Inspector General who have honourably resigns his appointment and where he failed to take the part of honour the President would have kicked him out while the Governor that turns Governors lodge to Terrorist save house would have been suspended and charged to court of law. Please let us ask our president this questions,
ReplyDelete1. is that those notable sponsors of Terrorist are more powerful than his office.
2.is the inspector general part of the untouchables even with glaring inconsistencies and gross incompetence in the handling of various issues and challenges since he assumed office, except issuing treat to Nigerians to prevent them from exercising their constitutional/ civic right against the unpopular decisions/policies of his masters.
3. does the president realized meaning and the power behinds the massive votes he received from Nigerian.
4.does the president understand that his back- slides is making the mass who decided to give him shoes which in-turn he has being using to brutalized them TO REGRET electing him on sentiment and not ability.
My people always say it is little for the wise!!!?
Nigerians, we people have not started paying for that dealy act of reigious bigotry,ethnicity/tribalism played during last elections.if we refuse to destroy PDP, how do arrest corruption, "BOKO HARRAM" if it exist,insecurty,poverty distribution,economic blindness etc. mr president is just a child of circumstance. he was made to carry overload.
ReplyDeletei don't know what jonathan is waiting for. he should go ahead and fire the IGP, Police commissioner zakari biu, there was also one DIG Biu who was fired by Obasanjo, only to be reinstated by Jonathan-why? these people are now paying him back in his own coin. what about senator Ndime also from Borno .they want to bring down his government with the help of some conspirators. they must produce that terrorist called kabiru umar Biu . they are all from Biu and they know where they are keeping him. if they cannot produce him within the next 24hrs ,jonathan should not hesitate to fire all those concerned. let him stand up and behave like a man , and commander-in-chief, borrow a leaf from Obasanjo" stance.THE MINISTER CALEB OLUBOLADE SHOULD GO AHEAD AND ASSIST JONATHAN CLEAN UP THE POLICE. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH OF THESE TERRORISTS BOKO HARAM ,
ReplyDeletei could remember in those days of general babangida who ordered that the Edo state commissioner of police in Benin should produce produce the notorious armed robber -Anini within 24hrs. "miraculously", Anini was produced by the Police and Babangida was notified under 24 hrs before the police commissioner was about losing his job. Jonathan should borrow a leaf from history,thiugh i wouldn't know where he was then -whether as a student, teacher or whatever!!!!
ReplyDelete