Wanted Suspect A Key Member, Boko Haram Confirms

Oluokun Ayorinde/ Abuja

Boko Haram, the militant Islamic sect has confirmed as its key member, Kabiru Umar a.k.a (Kabiru Sokoto), who escaped from Police custody 15 January after he was arrested at Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.

The insurgent group however the fugitive hails from Sokoto, contrary to speculations linking him with Biu. Kabiru Sokoto was alleged to be the mastermind of deadly Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla in which over 40 lives were lost.

“He is a key member of our group and contrary to what the police said Kabiru Sokoto is an indigene of Sokoto State”, Abuja based Daily Trust quoted Abu Qaqa, spokesperson of the group as telling reporters in Maiduguri Borno State.

The newspaper had also reported that the wanted Boko Haram chieftain was the leader of the Boko Haram sect in Sokoto before he relocated to Abaji, Abuja where he escaped from a team of policemen who had taken him for a search after his arrest.

It was believed that the escape of the suspect, who General Owoeye Azazi, the National Security Adviser described as a setback led to the early retirement of Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police from the force last Wednesday.

Zakari Biu, the Commissioner of Police who was in charge of the investigation of the suspect and members of his team are currently being detained in Abuja over the escape of the suspect. Meanwhile, Boko Haram has threatened to attack Sokoto State over claims that its members were being arrested by the Police.

Human Rights Watch estimated that over 900 people have been killed in attacks by the Boko Haram group in the past 25 months.