Police arrest Christmas Day bomber in governor’s lodge

Reports reaching Premium Times indicate that the police have arrested a suspected Boko Haram kingpin believed to have masterminded the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, which left over people dead and several others injured.

A police source said in Abuja that detectives tracked down Kabir Sokoto in the nation’s capital after several weeks of undercover investigation.

He was reportedly arrested at the Borno State Governor’s lodge in the Asokoro District of Abuja alongside an unnamed serving military officer.

A top police officer told us there are evidences “Mr. Sokoto played a lead role in the Madalla bombing.”

The suspect, nabbed on Saturday morning, is said to have travelled  from Maiduguri to Abuja, and was on his way to London.

On his arrival on Abuja, he reportedly requested a night’s lodging from officials of the Borno State’s liaison office who obliged him, oblivious that he was a wanted Boko Haram chieftain.

Police however stormed the lodge on Saturday morning, arresting Mr. Sokoto, the unnamed army officers, and some staff of the liaison office.

Some of those arrested have been released, police said.

Police spokesperson, Olusola Amore, could not be reached to comment for this story.