Boko Haram: Gov, Northern Politicians Panic Over Possible Arrest

A serving governor and some top Northern politicians are now living under the fear of arrest as security operatives close in on suspected sponsors of Boko Haram. Saturday Tribune gathered that the reports of security agencies consistently linked some prominent figures to the activities of the dreaded group, which had claimed responsibility for a number of bombings in the country lately.

Sources said President Goodluck Jonathan had given a nod for the said leaders to be interrogated, while a security council had been set up to quiz the governor.

It was learnt that upon hints that the agencies had received the green light to prosecute the suspected sponsors of Boko Haram, many of the top politicians are making plans to flee the country, even in the heat of the fuel subsidy removal-induced strike.

The government was also said to be probing some suspicious movements across the Nigerian borders in the North with information indicating that some specific targets of the operation burst Boko Haram had fled the country.

A source said the governor, believed to have links with the group, had got wind of his impending interrogation by operatives, but that the government was being careful not to tamper with his immunity as provided in the 1999 Constitution.

“As a result of the immunity he enjoys, he cannot be directly arrested. But all the details are being assembled and a security committee has been constituted to confront him with such details. Once the evidence is confirmed as incontrovertible, further steps can then be taken to ensure prosecution in line with treason and such charges,” the source said.

It was learnt that the governor had fled to Niger Republic and that some other suspected top politicians are either on their way to Niger or Chad republic.

“The government has decided to bring sanity to this whole issue of insecurity. Some security agencies, who have been on the trail of those concerned in recent times, have reports indicting a number of persons, including government officials.

Other prominent figures, who are linked with the group, are believed to be heading towards Northern borders,” another source said.

It was also gathered that the acclaimed leader of the sect, Abubakar Skekau, had fled the country to Niger, following intense moves to burst him in recent weeks.

It was understood that his outbursts during the week on a cable television, were made from a hideout from that country.

The source stated, “There is an operation aimed at clamping down on the Boko Haram leadership. Security operatives almost burst the leader, Abubakar Shekau and he immediately fled Nigeria. He is believed to be in Niger Republic now where he is coordinating activities of the group. The operatives will not relent in their bid to track him down.”