The Nigerian Prisons Services, NPS, has issued a statement denying that the man who masterminded the Christmas Day bombing in St. Theresa Catholic Church in Mandalla, Niger State in 2011, Kabiru Dikko, more popularly known as Kabiru Sokoto, had been released from prison custody.
Rumours began to circulate on social media that President Muhammadu Buhari had released Sokoto with some messages saying that the Boko Haram commander’s release is part of a secret settlement to secure the return of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls.
Mr. Biyi Jeje, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Prisons Service said that Nigerians should disregard the rumours concerning Sokoto’s release.
“Please disregard the rumour. He is still in prisons custody,” Mr. Jeje replied enquiries by Leadership. “There’s no truth in all” the reports claiming that Mr. Dikko had been released.”
Sokoto is currently serving a life-sentence for the bombing which shocked the nation killing over 44 people. He was convicted and sentenced by a federal court in Abuja presided over by Justice Ademola Adeniyi in December 2013.
He is currently appealing his sentencing.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has written to President Muhammadu Buhari requesting for an official statement on the rumoured release of the convicted terrorist.
