Police arrest suspected Boko Haram kingpin, recovers explosives

OVES to check the nefarious activities of the deadly Islamic sect, Boko Haram, have received a boost as the police have arrested one Sheriff Shettima, a suspected kingpin of the sect and the mastermind of past bombings and robberies in the state.

Group of Boko Haram suspects once apprehended in Borno.

Also recovered from the suspect’s residence are SMG French rifle, 104 live ammunitions, two improvised explosive devices or bombs and sets of military uniforms.

The State Police Commissioner, Simeon Midenda, disclosed this yesterday at a press conference in Maiduguri on how the police foiled plots by the Islamic sect to bomb some parts of Maiduguri metropolis during the forth coming Sallah celebrations.

Midenda disclosed that with information provided to the police by Shettima on the identities of some suspects, they were being trailed for arrest no matter where they fled to.

On the recovery of rifles and foiling of planned bombing  in Maiduguri metropolis, Midenda said: “Shettima confessed to the police of the crimes and named  the Boko Haram suspects that fled from being arrested. Our investigation also revealed that the Boko Haram robbery gang were involved in a bank robbery  in Damboa in early May; as well as the Kala-Balge council robbery, where a police inspector, a constable and the council’s  cashier were killed by the suspected sect gunmen.”

He said the bank robbery was to raise funds for an operation to be carried out in Maiduguri during the forthcoming Sallah celebration, stating that plots have been foiled with the arrest of Shettima and the recovery of arms and explosives devices that could have marred Eid-el-Kabir celebration in Maiduguri.

Other arrests made by the police, according to Midenda, include a robbery suspect, one Idi Umar, who was caught with a Kalashnikov rifle and 57 rounds of live ammunitions; three stolen vehicles and five vehicle number plates and particulars.

Other arrests made by the police include four burglary suspects with the recoveries of four gold hand bangles valued at N1.5 million, seven boxes, two LG home theatres, six mattresses, two carpets and assorted wearing apparels.

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By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

-The Guardian