News Report: Escaped Boko Haram Christmas Day Bombing Suspect Re-Arrested

High level Police contacts informed chidi opara reports this afternoon that  Malam Kabir Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the Christmas day bombing near Abuja that claimed the lives of several worshipers has been re-arrested at the Nigeria/Chad border in Borno state.

The suspected Boko Haram henchman had escaped from police custody in controversial circumstances, prompting the Presidency to order Inspector-general of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim to produce him within 24 hours, which expires today.  

Malam Sokoto’s escape also resulted in the suspension of Mr. Zakari Biu, a Commissioner of Police who was reported to be in charge of interrogating the suspect.

chidi opara reports learned that the Police helmsman who is due for retirement soon, had sought the help of political and religious leaders and traditional rulers in the north for the re-arrest of the suspect.

Editor's Note:  In the light of declaring the suspect, Malam Kabiru Umar(also known as Kabiru Sokoto) wanted yesterday by the Nigerian Police, we re-checked with our Police contacts, who insisted that a Malam Kabiru Sokoto was yesterday arrested at the Nigerian/Chad border in Borno state and taken to Abuja. We are however following events keenly. If the information turns out to be wrong, we will inform our readers and apologies.

News Release: Deployment Of Soldiers To Lagos Is Unconstitutional And Unnecessary

Soldiers Patrolling A Street In Lagos

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) joins millions of patriotic Nigerians and groups in condemning in strong terms the deployment of soldiers to Lagos by President Goodluck Jonathan and demands their immediate withdrawal.

The legitimate protest against the increase in the pump price of Petrol by the orderly and peaceful people of Lagos was largely peaceful as they came out willingly without any prodding to express their disapproval of this anti-people policy of the Jonathan administration.

This civilized conduct of the people of Lagos was a pace setter which was quickly emulated by legitimate protesters in other states of the federation in expressing their rejection of the insensitive increase in the price of petrol.

Nigerians however awoke to a rude shock on Monday 16^th January 2012, and discovered that the Jonathan Administration had assaulted the fundamental rights of Nigerians guaranteed under the constitution by deploying soldiers to the streets of Lagos to intimidate, harass and prevent the people from exercising their constitutional rights to protest. Ever since, patriotic individuals and groups have condemned this act of aggression against the good people of Lagos and have called for the immediate withdrawal of the forces of occupation.

We commend the democratic spirit of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State for rising to the occasion in condemning this assault on the people’s right which is also an assault on his office as the chief security officer of the state as enshrined in the constitution and for demanding the immediate withdrawal of the military men. We view this assault as a violation of the constitution and an act of aggression against the government and people of Lagos State which stands condemned.

We are also demanding that President Goodluck Jonathan immediately tenders a public and unreserved apology to the good people of Lagos State in particular and Nigerians in general.

Signed:

Nelson Ekujumi,

Executive Chairman,