The Police Service Commission on Friday, September 4, 2015 approved the reinstatement of Zakari Biu, the police commissioner that was dismissed from the Police Force four years ago after a wanted Boko Haram Commander, Kabiru Sokoto, escaped from prison.
Sokoto is the suspected mastermind of the bombing of the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State four years ago, where scores of worshippers were killed.
Biu was dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force in 2011 following the escape of Boko Haram commander, Kabiru Sokoto from custody under his watch. He has been promoted just two months prior to the incident. Sokoto was recaptured in February 2012 by operatives of Nigeria’s Secret Police (DSS). Sokoto confessed to being aided by senior police officers during his escape.
Sokoto is a confessed Boko Haram commander and suspect in the mastermind of the Christmas Day Madalla, Suleja Church bombing which killed about 43 persons including children and women. An entire family was killed when two car bombs exploded at the Catholic Church in 2011.
A statement by the Police Commission signed by Ikechukwu Ani, head of Press and Media Relations, the decision to exonerate Biu was taken after his appeal was considered in a meeting presided over by the chairman, Mr. Mike Okiro, a former police inspector-general. Biu was exonerated of blame in the escape of Sokoto and retired statutorily.
Sokoto is being detained in a Sokoto prison while awaiting trial.
