within 24 hours or be sacked.
Sokoto who was earlier arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, escaped from custody in questionable circumstances.
Already Mr Zakari Biu, Police Commissioner in charge of Zone 7, Zonal Criminal Investigation Department, under whose command Sokoto was being held before his bizarre escape, has been suspended and cooling off in detention.
Sokoto was arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja, over the weekend when he had sneaked into the premises aided by a friend to pass the night there.
Unknown to him and his friend who is said to be an officer with the Nigerian Air Force, the Police had been on his trail for several weeks following a tip off.
Surprisingly however, Sokoto, reportedly escaped from Police custody on Sunday, while he was being conveyed to Abaji, also within the Federal Capital Territory, where he owns a house, for a search on the apartment.
Reports have it that on their way to Abaji, a distance of less than one hour from Abuja city, the team was said to have been ambushed by a group of gun-wielding youths, apparently Boko Haram members who ultimately attacked them.
The youths reportedly shot sporadically into the air to create pandemonium in the area. It was in the ensuing confusion that Sokoto was said to have fled, while Police efforts to track him down was reportedly abortive.
But angry President Jonathan would not listen to tales from the Inspector General about suspect’s, pointedly directed Ringim to apprehend Sokoto within 24 hours to face prosecution or be sacked.
It was gathered that after conferring Police Affairs Minister, Capt Olubolade on the development, enraged President Jonathan ordered that only the arrest and prosecution of Sokoto would save his job.
Sokoto is said to have played leading role in the Christmas Day bombing of the St Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, in which over 43 were killed and several others injured.
Although Police authorities said on Tuesday that the circumstances that led to Sokoto’s escape from detention was accidental, several dignitaries have accused the police of complicity in the Boko Haram attacks.
Fiery Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana in his reaction to the development accused the police high command of complicity in the incident.
Hear him: “Whereas he was arrested by a full lorry load of armed policemen, he was taken out for a search by five policemen. He was released in order to cover up the mastermind of the Boko Haram menace. The suspension of the CP by the IGP is diversionary because the IGP must have known that Biu was not the person to combat Boko Haram menace, which is very popular in his home state of Borno. The IGP has
refused to collaborate with the SSS in stamping out Boko Haram in the country. He should be relieved of his duty without further delay.”
A clergy, Reverend Raph Madu also voiced a similar accusation against the police, arguing that the story is unacceptable to Nigerians.
Madu who is Director of Communication, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, said the development is a confirmation of the anxiety expressed by President Jonathan that Boko Haram sect members had infiltrated the nation’s security apparatus.
“It is such a big shame to the police and the nation and it is part of what the President said that the government and the security service have been infiltrated by the Boko Haram. The Catholic Church calls for a thorough investigation into the matter because it is an affront to the country,” he said.
President Jonathan had at a special church service to mark this year’s Armed Forces Day in Abuja lamented that Boko Haram members had infiltrated segments of government machinery.
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