Police place N50m bounty on Christmas bomber

THE Federal Government on Thursday declared the suspected mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing wanted. Government also offered a bounty of N50m for information leading to his arrest.

Kabir  Umar, a.k.a Kabir Sokoto, a member of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, had escaped from police custody on Monday, 24 hours after his arrest.

The Christmas Day bombing of the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, killed 40 worshippers and destroyed properties worth millions of Naira.

There were however conflicting signals in Abuja on Thursday about Sokoto’s whereabouts. There were reports that the suspect had been rearrested and President Goodluck Jonathan informed about the development. Sokoto was said to have been caught while attempting to cross into neighbouring Chad Republic.

But the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police, Olusola Amore, said he was unaware of the re-arrest of Sokoto, promising to issue a statement if the bomber had indeed been rearrested.

The statement declaring the bomber wanted reads, “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 properties.

“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 have therefore placed a monetary reward of N50m for anyone who has useful information regarding the whereabouts of the suspect or that will lead to his arrest. (Any such person) should please report to the nearest police station nationwide.”

The development came as President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly refused to see the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, on Wednesday night.

The IG, on the order of the President, had been queried by the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, for alleged negligence in the handling of Sokoto. He was reportedly given 24 hours to explain why he should not be sanctioned.

Sources say Ringim, who enjoys unrestricted access to the President, was denied access by Villa officials. A reliable source in the Presidency said the IG was at the Villa to ask for an extension of the deadline given to him to find Sokoto.

Ringim was said to have been kept waiting at the Villa from 9pm to 11pm.

The source said, “The IGP came to the Villa and thought he would be able to see the President. He wanted to beg for more time to look for the suspect. But he was told that he would not be able to see the President.”

A senior government official said Ringim was more interested in retiring from the Force “with dignity” as he is billed for retirement in March.

“I think what he wants is to seek for an extension, in order to prolong the matter. He would later put in his letter for terminal leave. He knows what he is doing,” the source said.