Army/community relations lead to arrest of 4 Madalla church bombing suspects

A tip off by members of the public has led to the arrest by the Nigerian Army of four Boko Haram members suspected to be involved in the 2011 Christmas day bomb blast of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State which reportedly claimed the lives of 44 people and wounded 75 others.

Reports say the suspect; Victor Moses who claimed he was going to convert to Islam at a nearby Mosque was arrested at Alkaleri town of Bauchi State by men of the Nigeria army alongside three other suspects Abubakar Shetima Bama, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Madaki.

After their arrest, the suspects were later paraded before the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Buratai, who was in Bauchi on an official visit and newsmen at Shadawanka Barrack in Bauchi on Monday.

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In his statement, the Brigade Commandant of 33 Artillery Brigade, Bauchi, Brigadier General Abraham Luka Dusu said Moses and the three other suspects were arrested after a tip off from the public.

‘‘Our troops on duty in Alkaleri arrested Victor Moses after receiving report from the people in the area that the suspect, Victor Moses has been loitering around the mosque claiming that he is a Christian and want to convert to Islam but because he is not from the area, they suspected him and reported to our men.

“Victor Moses confessed that he is conducting surveillance for Boko Haram sometimes he stays in the shop Of Abubakar Shetima Bama who is based in Jos while the other two accomplices, Salisu Mohammed Bello and Umar Madaki are based in Gombe.

“With the information given to our men by Victor Moses, the other three suspects were arrested. The suspects after investigation will be handed over to Joint Intelligent Centre in Maiduguri for further interrogation.’’ He said.

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