Top security operatives face severe sanctions over the escape of Kabiru Sokoto, the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day 2011 bombing of St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State. Sokoto, a high ranking member of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which claimed responsibility for the attack, was arrested at Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, last Saturday. He escaped on Sunday when he was being led in a Toyota Hilux van to his Abaji, FCT residence by about 10 policemen, for a search.

On spotting the vehicle, Abaji youths were said to have attacked the policemen. They set Sokoto, who was in handcuffs, free. The security operatives, in a bid to rearrest Sokoto opened fire, a 28-year old HND student was shot dead in the pandemonium.

Commissioner of Police (CP), Zakari Biu, who sent his men on the mission, was suspended by the Police High Command on Tuesday.
Miffed by the suspect’s escape, especially coming a few weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan spoke of Boko Haram sympathisers in his government, Aso Rock yesterday read the riot act to top echelons of the Police: Re-arrest Sokoto at all costs or face severe sanctions, may have been the thrust of the query issued to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, who was due for retirement next month. The job of Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd) is also on the line.

The Federal Government has also ordered the immediate detention of CP Biu and all the officers and personnel involved. The IGP was queried even as government insisted that not only does the buck stops on his table, but if found guilty of complicity, he would have to account for his mistakes. Cornered by State House correspondents to speak on government’s next line of action, Olubolade said: “That was an unfortunate incident, but measures will be put in place now to re-arrest the escaped suspect. From the ministry, I have directed the IGP to carry out full investigation and even at higher level above that one. There will be another investigation to ascertain what led to the suspect’s escape. I have also directed that the officers involved and the personnel involved should be detained immediately.

“You would have read in the papers that the Commissioner of Police has been suspended. In fact, beyond that, I have ordered that he be placed under house arrest”. On whether the IGP has been queried, the minister replied, “that is true because he is the field officer. He has the responsibility to ensure all operations regarding arrest and all that are conducted in the usual manner. If he is found guilty of complicity, he himself will have to account for his mistakes”.

When the question was asked if Ringim may be sacked, Olubolade replied: “Anybody including myself”.
“Asked if this was a clear indication that there has not been good working relationship between the Police and the ministry, the minister replied, “it is not an indication if somebody has erred in his responsibility, the outcome of the investigation will prove that. What is important is that whatever steps we are going to take as a result of this neglect, we have to take it immediately”.

On whether the suspect’s escape confirmed the President’s statement that Boko Haram has infiltrated his government, the Police Affairs Minister said: “I cannot confirm that statement. What is important is that the suspect is missing and all steps must be taken to re-arrest the suspect. While that is pending, the officers involved who conducted the search must be detained so that the outcome of the investigation will lead to whatever punishment will be given”.

To wash their hands off the messy situation, the Police through its spokesman, Olusola Amore, a Deputy Commissioner, said in a statement: “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to confirm that a suspect was arrested in a successful police operation and was rescued from a team of policemen detailed to carry out further investigation into the matter.

“The suspect was handed over to a Commissioner of Police for further investigation and he consequently detailed his men to take the suspect to Abaji in furtherance of investigation. In the course of undertaking this important procedure, the policemen on escort with the suspect were attacked by the suspected sect gang members and in the process, the suspect escaped.

“The Police view this development as a serious negligence on the part of the Commissioner of Police and have since been queried and suspended from duty.“If a criminal case is established against him and his team, they will be prosecuted,” the statement said.