High profile Boko Haram Suspect rearrested

Kabir Umaru Sokoto

High profile Boko Haram Suspect rearrested

The spokesman for the Nigerian Presidency Reuben Abati, has confirmed the re-arrest of runaway high-profile Boko Haram suspect, Kabir Umaru Sokoto, the mind behind Madalla bombings.

In a message titled “Kabiru Sokoto was arrested,” Mr Abati attested, Friday, that he was arrested by the State Security Service in Taraba State, close to Cameroon.

According to source, “he was re-arrested this morning at Mutum Biu in Taraba State by the SSS, and he’s being flown to Abuja now by the Nigeria air force.”

Escape from custody
The Boko Haram member who had been arrested in Abuja in January had escaped while in police custody. The suspect was declared a wanted man by the Police High Command, following his escape, and a bounty of 50 million Naira was placed on his head.

He had since remained at large.

Kabiru's 'disappearance' cost the former Inspector- General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, his job, as President Goodluck Jonathan fast-tracked his retirement from the Force and replaced him with Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

Kabiru had been implicated in the Christmas Day, 2011 bombing of the St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, which killed more than 40 people.

FG Reorganises Security at Airports

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Government has started urgent re-organisation of security at the nation’s airports and has procured sophisticated security equipment to be placed at strategic locations at the major airports in the country.

Security measures

A large modern screening machine would be located at Gate 1 of the international terminal, which has the ability to burrow into vehicles and mirror everything contained therein from the engine to the whole body of any vehicle.

“Gate 1 is the access gate to the airside of the terminal, so vehicles could drive past without stopping but everything inside will be checked by the machines. All the vehicles moving aviation fuel to the aircraft are screened; the same with catering and maintenance vehicles,” the source said.

Another big screening machine would also be installed at the cargo area to carry out bulk screening of cargo, while the Gate 3, which gives access to the airside in the cargo area, would be permanently locked and every activity would now be done at the cargo shed, including bulk breaking of cargo.

Besides, the Nigerian Government has started the upgrade of the Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at the international terminal of the Lagos airport and this will be connected to all the terminals and linked to the perimeter fencing “so that any activity at any part of the airport will be observed,” the source said.

The source admitted that the cargo area of the airport was porous, “but the minister has given directive for the restructuring and rebuilding of the area.”
According to the source, “We are closing the entire illegal bureau the change at the car park; all of them will be sent out and to prevent any terrorist from driving into the departure lounge, we have built pillars before the building”.

The source also acknowledged that the existing car park at the international terminal was not secure but explained that FAAN management and the Nigeria Police has ordered for increased number of policemen at the park who now monitor activities there.

NP/Channels/Cokey