The Federal
Government of Nigeria on Wednesday evening confirmed the arrest of Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche, one of the
masterminds of the Nyanya bombing, in which 100 persons were killed and many
others wounded, Sahara Reporters and PR Nigeria reports.
On Monday, a sum of N25 million was placed on the head of
Ogwuche and the main mastermind, Rufai
Abubakar Tsiga. On Tuesday,
International Police (Interpol) issued a warrant of arrest on the man, who was
said to be hiding in Sudan.
During the Monday briefing by Directorate of State Service
(DSS) spokesperson Marylyn Ogar, five suspects were paraded in connection with
the incident. They include Ahmad Abubakar (aka Abu Ibrahim/Mai Turare),
Mohammed Ishaq, Yau Saidu (aka Kotar Rama) Anas Isah and Adamu Yusuf and all
confessed to being privy to the plot to bomb Nyanya.
At the daily briefing of the National Information Centre on Wednesday however, the Director
General of National Orientation Agency
(NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, announced
that Ogwuche had been arrested in Sudan and is awaiting extradition home to
face charges.
The arrest was through the collaborative efforts of
Interpol, DSS, Nigeria Police and the Military Attaché to the Nigerian High
Commission in Sudan.
Ogwuche, who is a student of Arabic Language at the
International University of Africa, Sudan, is a British born Nigerian who
deserted the Army in 2006. His service number was SVC 95/104. He served in the
Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos,
between 2001 and 2006. He was allegedly involved in terrorist activities,
leading to his arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on
Nov. 12, 2011, on arrival from the UK.
However, he was released on bail to his father, retired Col.
Agene Ogwuche on Oct. 15, 2012, following intense pressure from activists who
alleged human rights violations.
Responding to a question today, Ogar said, “We should be happy that wherever a criminal
is hiding, he will be fished out. Even if Nigerians would hide him others will
fish him out. These terrorists live in our midst and we know them. The world is
a small place now.”
About the abducted Chibok girls, Omeri disclosed that
international operations to rescue the girls have entered a full swing, but he
did not give details.
He refuted insinuations that academic activities in the
North Eastern parts of Nigeria have been completely paralysed, and explained
that schools in dangerous areas were shut while the pupils were merged with
other schools with adequate security provided.
On the inability of government to rescue the girls after one
month in captivity, Omeri said it was not a peculiar situation.
“When Americans were
held hostage in Iraq, even though America knew where they were being kept, it
took 200 days for them to be rescued. We do not even know where these girls
are. We will rescue the girls but it will not take 200 days”, he assured.
No comments:
Post a Comment