Contrary to reports, Kabiru Dikko, the mastermind of 2011 Christmas
Day bombing, is still in custody, the Nigerian Prisons Service said on
Tuesday.
“Please disregard the rumour. He’s still in prisons custody,” Biyi Jeje, NPS’ spokesman told PREMIUM TIMES Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Dikko, also known as Kabiru Sokoto, was convicted in December
2013 after being found guilty of plotting the car suicide bombing on St.
Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja. The attack left about
40 people dead.
Various publications and blogs this week reported that Mr. Dikko, 32,
may have been released as part of a purported prisoners swap deal
between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram sect.
Boko Haram has demanded the release of its members held by the
government in exchange for Chibok schoolgirls abducted by the group in
2014.
While the Nigerian government has indicated interest in a prisoners swap deal with Boko Haram, the modalities for this have yet to be made public.
“There’s no truth in all” the reports claiming that Mr. Dikko had been released, Mr. Jeje said.
A senior Boko Haram operative, Mr. Dikko was first arrested on
January 1, 2012 by the police, but escaped from custody two days later
when he was being taken to his residence at Abaji, Federal Capital
Territory, for a search.
Source:PremuimTimes
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