JTF Arrests Wanted Boko Haram Commander, Habeeb Bama, In Damaturu

An ex-soldier,Habeeb Bama, accused of being one of the masterminds of the suicide bomb attacks on a Catholic Church at Madalla, Niger State on christmas day last December was today arrested in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Bama who was declared wanted by the Department of state security in January this year was said to have been arrested earlier today in Damaturu after a gun duel with soldiers attached to the Joint Task Force deployed to the state to maintain law and order. He was believed to have coordinated the series of attacks that killed over 30 persons in Damaturu on Sunday.

Encouraged with the arrest of Bama who is believed to be an indigene of Borno state, the Yobe state government  reviewed the 24 hours curfew imposed on the state on Monday from 10am to 4pm till the security situation shows further signs of improvement. A statement by the state government said “public movement within Damaturu metropolis is now allowed between 10am and 4.00pm daily.”

“Members of the general public are expected to remain in their homes from 4.00pm to 10.00am daily. Restriction on public movement in other parts of the State remains from 10.00pm to 6.00AM daily while restriction of movement in Potiskum Town remains between 6.00pm and 6.00am daily. These restrictions will be subject to periodic review as the security situation in Damaturu and around the State continues to improve”, the statement added.