BAUCHI (Sundiata Post) – The Nigerian military has said it has captured a suspected mastermind of the December 2011, Madalla Christmas bombings.
The suspect, named Victor Moses was paraded on Monday before the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, alongside four other accomplices, at the 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi State.
Parading the five suspects, the Brigade Commander, Brig-Gen. Abraham Dusu, said that Moses was apprehended at Alkaleri in Bauchi State, while he was conducting surveillance for the Boko Haram terrorists inside a mosque in the town.
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According to Dusu, the chief became suspicious when Victor Moses claimed that he wanted to convert to Islam but being new to the community but on interrogation by the security agencies and military intelligence, he confessed to being one of the mastermind of the 2011 Christmas Day Bombing in Madalla, Niger State.
He disclosed that upon further interrogation and investigation, the four other suspects were apprehended including Messrs Abubakar Shettima Bama, Umar Sadiq Madaki, and Salisu Mohammed Bello.
The commander Said: “Our troops in Alkeleri were alerted about someone trying to convert to Islam but they noticed he wasn’t from the area and the community people informed us. He was subsequently arrested, and revealed his name as Victor Moses, who also said he was among those that made the Madala bombing successful.
“According to him, his major work is surveillance for the Boko Haram terrorists but lives with Abubakar Shettima Bama.
“So the Victor Moses, the main suspect was arrested in Alkaleri, where he conducts surveillance for Boko Haram. He was being accommodated by Abubakar Shettima Bama who lives in Jos, and his other two accomplices are Umar Sadiq Madaki , and Salisu Mohammed Bello”, he added.
In another development, the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, presented 25 Hilux Patrol vehicles to the Nigerian Army, Police and Department of State Security Service (DSS) to help enforce and maintain security in the state.
Abubakar, who made the formal presentation of patrol vehicles at the State Secretariat, Bauchi, noted that the primary function of government is the enforcement of security.
According to him, “criminal activities all over the world are becoming more sophisticated so we have to double our efforts to be on top”.
He said: “As a responsible government, we have promised to provide security to our citizens. We have serious security challenges like Boko Haram terrorists, cattle rustling and arms banditry. Today Bauchi State is one of the safest in the North East and the country as a whole. We urge the citizenry to participate and support by providing information to the security agents and as well as forming Vigilante groups.”
The governor said that the 25 vehicles were worth over N250 million with 10 presented to the Army, nine to the Police, five to the DSS and one to the Zone 12 Police Command in the state Capital.
Responding, Buratai lauded the Bauchi State Government the gesture, which he said is an indication that the governor is serious with issues of security in the state and the zone.
He noted that security is the bedrock of development, and requested for more vehicles to help the military cover the “vast state” effectively.
“You know security is part of development because when lives are secured, we are guaranteed development. This is the essence of security and that is why I want to urge the security agencies to ensure that these vehicles are properly maintained and are well used for all the operations it was meant for.
“We want to also ask that because of the vastness and terrain of Bauchi state we need more of these vehicles and Army on our part will contribute. We appreciate your gestures and pray that the state of insecurity will be a thing of the past,” he added.
In a related development, the 33 Artillery Brigade, 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army test-fired about six out of 36 Battle tanks refurnished and inducted into their inventory for the ongoing operation against Boko Haram in the North East.
The firing range took place at Victor Kure Armoured Range at Shada Wanka Barracks, Bauchi
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