Habibu Bama , a topgun of the dreaded Boko Haram sect has died in detention,reports said today.He was overpowered and captured after a fierce gun battle with security forces in Damaturu ,Yobe state capital yesterday.
Bama had been declared wanted by the State Security Service, SSS after a string of bombings which he allegedly masterminded in Abuja and its environs.The Boko Haram field commander said to be an ex soldier was the alleged mastermind of the Mogadishu Barracks bomb blast, the bomb explosion at Force Headquarters, The United Nations House bombing and the Madalla Christmas Day blast.
Even Damaturu where he was eventually arrested yesterday has been under severe attacks.The last round of bombings and gun-battle between the sect members and the security forces there began Monday evening culminating in the declaration of a 24 -hour curfew in the Yobe state capital.The curfew was however relaxed on Thursday.
His capture took place on a day the United States of America ,USA officially declared three top leaders of Boko Haram as terrorists.Among those declared by the US is Abubakar Shekau, aged around 43, Abubakar Adam Kambar, about 35; and Khalid al Barnawi, reportedly 36 old.
Though the arrest of Bama was seen a major feat, reports of his death today is bound to make critics raise questions as many had hoped available facility would be mobilized to keep him alive in order to further aide investigations aimed at cracking activities of the sect. One report however said he lost too much blood during the shootout to survive.
Without doubts, questions and disbelief will trail the death in detention of such a prominent suspect.The other suspect linked with the Madalla bomb blast Kabiru Sokoto had escaped from police custody in Abaji,FCT.He was subsequently rearrested months later in Taraba state and has been in SSS detention ever since.
