Habibu Bama who is also known as Shuaibu Bama and Habib Mamman is suspected to have planted the bomb which killed no fewer than 44 worshippers at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla.
He might have been fingered by rearrested Boko Haram suspect Kabiru Abubakar Dikko Umar, a.k.a, Kabiru Sokoto, who is being interrogated by the State Security Service (SSS).
Declaring Bama wanted yesterday, the SSS accused him of committing crimes against the state.
Bama, according to the SSS, is an ex-soldier, who has been on the run since the bombings last year. Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.
Kabiru Sokoto, who reportedly directed the operation, was rearrested in Mutum Biu, Taraba State, last Friday, following his escape from police custody on January 16.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Ms Marilyn Ogar, the SSS said: “The person whose photograph appears above is HABIBU BAMA.
“He is hereby declared wanted by the Federal Government in connection with crimes against the State.
“HABIBU BAMA is an ex-soldier, Kanuri by tribe and hails from Bama, Borno State.He is also known by the following names; HABIBU BAMA, Shuaibu BAMA and HABIBU MAMMAN.
“Members of the public with any information that could lead to his arrest are hereby implored to immediately contact the nearest police station, military formation or any other security agency, please.”
A top security source said: “Bama is strongly suspected as one of the masterminds of the Christmas Day bombings in Madalla. He allegedly played a key role in the devastative attacks.
“You should appreciate that we are still investigating the Christmas Day bombings. And since the arrest of Kabiru Sokoto, we have got enough clues to get to the root of the attacks.
“The manner of the bombings confirmed that a syndicate, which had studied the terrain, was at work. We will soon smash the syndicate.
“The SSS is on the trail of the suspect and within a short time, the long arm of the law will catch up with him.”
Twenty of those killed in the bombings were parishioners.
The dead are: Anthony Okoronkwo; Comrade Dike A. Williams; Emmanuel Dike; Richard Dike; Lilian Dike; Lynda Chioma Ubiukwu; Uche Queen Obiukwu; Chidinma Cynthia Obiukwu; Linderlin Ifeoma Obiukwu; Ann-Chinedu Aigbadon; Chiemeri Nwachukwu; Cecilia Ebeku; Oluebube Faustina Pius; Chidera Sylvia Pius; Florence Nwachukwu and Eucharia Ewoh.
Others are: Joseph Daniel; Inspector Titus Eze; Obasi Jonathan Onyebuchi; Ehiawaguan Peter; Uche Esiri; Sgt. Kadiri Danjuma; and five unidentified Persons.
Twenty days after the explosions, Kabiru Sokoto was arrested at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja on January 14.
But barely 48 hours after his arrest, Kabiru Sokoto escaped at Abaji from the custody of policemen who went to search his home.
The incident led to the retirement of former Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim. The Police Service Commission constituted a Force Disciplinary Committee to investigate the incident.
National Security Adviser Gen. Owoye Azazi also set up an investigative panel made up of senior officials from different arms of the security agencies and officials of the Ministry of Police Affairs to conduct a similar probe.
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