Barely 48 hours after the masterminds of the Nyanya bomb blast that killed 75 people, Rufai Abubakar, a.ka. Tsiga and Abubakar Sadiq Ogwuche, were declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS), the latter has been arrested in Sudan.
Federal Government Wednesday evening confirmed the arrest of Ogwuche, the United Kingdom-born co-mastermind who is from Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
Prompt News recalls that on Monday, a sum of N25 million was placed on the head of Ogwuche and the main mastermind, Rufai Abubakar Tsiga.
Consequently, the International Police (Interpol) on Tuesday issued an international warrant of arrest on the man said to be hiding in Sudan.
During the Monday briefing by spokesperson for the DSS Marylyn Ogar, five suspects were paraded in connection with the incident. They include Ahmad Abubakar (aka Abu Ibrahim/Mai Turare), Mohammed Ishaq, Yau Saidu (aka Kotar Rama) Anas Isah and Adamu Yusuf and all confessed to being privy to the plot to bomb Nyanya.
At the daily briefing of the National Information Centre on Wednesday however, Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Mike Omeri who was supported by other members of the group announced that the alleged terrorist has been arrested in Sudan and is presently awaiting extradition back home to face charges.
The arrest was through the collaborative efforts of Interpol, Directorate of State Service (DSS) Nigeria Police and the Military Attaché to the Nigerian High Commission in Sudan.
Ogwuche, who is a student of Arabic Language at the International University of Africa, Sudan is a British born Nigerian who deserted the Army in 2006. His service number was SVC 95/104.
He served in the Intelligence Unit of the Nigerian Army at Child Avenue, Arakan Barracks, Lagos, between 2001 and 2006.
He was allegedly involved in terrorist activities which led to his arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Nov. 12, 2011 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on arrival from the UK.
However, he was released on bail to his father, retired Col. Agene Ogwuche on Oct. 15, 2012, following intense pressure from human rights activists, who alleged human rights violation.
Responding to a question Ogar said “We should be happy that wherever a criminal is hiding, he will be fished out. Even if Nigerians would hide him others will fish him out. These terrorists live in our midst and we know them. The world is a small place now.”
About the abducted Chibok girls, Omeri disclosed that international operations to rescue the girls have entered a full swing although he did not give details.
He refuted insinuations that academic activities in the North Eastern parts of Nigeria have been completely paralysed and explained that schools in dangerous areas were shut while the pupils were merged with other schools with adequate security provided.
On the inability of government to rescue the girls after one month in captivity, Omeri said it was not a peculiar situation.
“When Americans were held hostage in Iraq, even though America knew where they were being kept, it took 200 days for them to be rescued. We do not even know where these girls are. We will rescue the girls but it will not take 200 days”, he assured.
