Habib Bama, a suspected Islamist sect terrorists, who was declared wanted by the State Security Service (SSS) on Feb. 15 for allegedly masterminding the bombing of some public institutions, has been arrested.
A competent source in the SSS said that Bama, an ex-soldier, was arrested on Thursday during a shoot out with the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Damaturu, the capital of Yobe.
Bama is alleged to have masterminded the bombing of the Mogadishu Barracks Mammy market, Police Force Headquarters and UN building, all in Abuja, and some churches in Madalla in Niger.
The bombings took place on Dec. 31, 2010, June 16, 2011 and Aug. 26, 2011, respectively.
The suspect was “fatally wounded’’ during the shoot out.
The SSS had in a statement on Feb. 15, 2012, declared Habibu Bama, wanted in connection with “crime against the state’’.
“He is hereby declared wanted by the Federal Government in connection with crimes against the state.
“Members of the public with any information that could lead to his arrest are here implored to immediately contact the nearest police station, military formations or other security agencies,’’ it said.
The statement said that Bama, a Kanuri from Borno State, is also known as “Shuaibu Bama” and “Habib Mamman”.
Bama, a dismissed Army Private, allegedly coordinated bombings in Mogadishu Barracks, the Police Headquarters, the UN Building, St Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla and many in Jos.
The JTF, comprising the State Security Service (SSS), the military and the police, stormed Bama’s operational base in Damaturu, it was learnt. There was a shoot-out in which he was fatally wounded. Bama was being interrogated, as at press time, in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.
He may be moved to Abuja, if his condition improves, source said.
Bama’s arrest came on a day the United States put the group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau and two others on the “terrorist” list.
A top JTF source said: “One of the cell-leaders of Boko Haram in the Federal Capital Territory, Suleja-Jos axis, was shot this afternoon in Damaturu by the Joint Task Force (JTF).
“He was critically wounded. We are still extracting words from him.
“He was declared wanted by security agents after the Madalla church bomb blast.”
The manhunt for Bama started on February 15 when the SSS declared him wanted.
No comments:
Post a Comment