So many goodnews on the part
of Nigeria security coming
reaching me this morning. The
police have arrested
suspected to be the
mastermind of the Christmas
Day bombing of St. Theresa's
Catholic Church, Madalla, near
Abuja. Kabir Sokoto was
arrested alongside a serving
military officer whose name is
yet to be disclosed at the
Borno State Governor's lodge
in Asokoro District, Abuja,
today. Police sources claim
Sokoto orchestrated the attack
in which over 40 people died.
The Islamic Sect, Boko Haram,
claimed responsibility for the
bombing.
A top police officer at the Edet
House police headquarters in
Abuja said Kabiru Sokoto, was
arrested at the Borno State
Liaison Office on Samora Machel
Street, off T. Y. Danjuma Road,
Asokoro, Abuja in the morning
hours on Saturday.
The police officer said, “Kabiru
Sokoto was in company of a
serving military officer at the
Borno State Liaison Office
when he was captured in a
joint operation by security
agencies.
We have been on his
trails since attack because we’re
aware that he is associated with
the sect’s cell in Suleja area. He is
of
bomb expert, with the
capacity to using gas cylinders
to put together Improvised
Explosive Devices (IEDs).”
The Christmas Day killings led to
loud outcry and severe criticism
of security agencies for being
unable to prevent the dastardly
act in spite of the huge
budgetary allocations to that
sector. President Goodluck
Jonathan, on the eve of the New
Year, imposed emergency rule
on four states, namely Borno,
Niger, Yobe and Plateau, as a
result of the incessant attacks
suspected to have been carried
out by the controversial sect,
Boko Haram.
Corroborating the arrest, a
source at the Borno State
Liaison Office explained to
Sunday Trust last night how
Kabiru Sokoto was captured by
the police.
The official at the liaison office
said, “
Kabiru Sokoto came to
the liaison office here, saying
he wanted to travel to London,
but because of the strike by
Labour his flight was delayed.
He said he wanted to spend
the night here and, not
knowing that he has been on
the wanted list of security
agencies, he was allowed to
pass the night here in
company of a military officer.
This morning, security
agencies came here and
arrested him.”
Sources said that upon the
arrest of the suspect, top
officials of security agencies met
with President Goodluck
Jonathan and Vice-President
Namadi Sambo to review the
situation.
Boko Haram’s spokesman Abdul
Qaqa had quoted the group as
claiming responsibility for the
Christmas Day bombing at St.
Theresa’s Catholic Church in
Madalla, saying “
The Madalla
attack and those related to it
were a retaliation to the Eid-el
Fitr attack on Muslims in a
mosque in Sultaniyya (Jos)
Plateau State
” earlier last year.
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