FORMER governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, was, on Tuesday, quizzed for several hours by the State Security Service (SSS) in connection with the activities of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

Also quizzed along with Mallam Shekarau, according to security sources, was another former governor from the North-East, whose identity was not immediately known.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the two former governors, who were quizzed for several hours by a team of detectives, were later released on administrative bail.

Though, there was no official information from the SSS at the press time, a top official of the service told the Nigerian Tribune that the duo was invited for questioning based on the allegations against them, linking them with Boko Haram activities.

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson for the service, Ms Maryln Ogar, proved abortive, but another top official of the service confirmed that two former governors who he could not immediately gave their names were quizzed by the service a while ago.

However, Shekarau, on Tuesday, said he was not under arrest, contrary to the rumour doing the rounds on the internet.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the former governor, Sule Yaú Sule, in a press statement on Tuesday, dismissed the rumour, saying it was the wicked imagination of persons needlessly unsettled by the growing popularity of Shekarau.

The spokesman said the clarification had become necessary in response to the numerous calls from supporters and associates of the former governor, who were clearly agitated by his rumoured arrest by security agents.

The spokesman condemned the rumours as malicious, unfounded and baseless, while he thanked journalists who made efforts to contact him on the matter, assuring them that there was no basis for anyone to spread such malicious rumours about a man who served his state and country meritoriously.

Meanwhile, federal authorities are said to have ordered the deployment of anti-terror squads in Sokoto, following the confirmation of plans by the Boko Haram to attack the city.

Elements of the sect had, at the weekend, threatened to attack Sokoto, following the arrest of a large number of their members in the state.

Sources close to the administration said on Tuesday that the group, on Monday, deployed a hitman and 10 others in the city in readiness for its operation.

Sources said the confirmation of the genuineness of the planned attack on Sokoto came from international intelligence agencies, which were said to have told the federal authorities about the development

A source said the security agencies were not taking the threat lightly, just as it was confirmed that some top operatives had been placed on alert to save the city.

“We can confirm to you that Boko Haram is said to have deployed a top hitman and 10 others to carry out assignments in Sokoto. Agencies are watching out for their targets, but it confirms that the planned attack on the seat of Caliphate is real after all,” a source said, adding that all agencies operating around the state were in red alert.

A source stated that investigators were moving to identify the targets of the planned attacks, so as to be in a position to defend the city and the state.

Sources also revealed that there had been increased collaboration between the Nigerian intelligence networks and the Western agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States (US) and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the Mi5 in the United Kingdom.

Sources close to the administration further said that though the agencies had found it difficult cordoning off the large land areas adjoining the nation’s international borders because of language and cultural affinities, the government was determined to protect life and property in the city.

FG must act decisively on Boko Haram -COAS
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenent-General Azubuike Ihejirika, on Tuesday, said the Boko Haram issue was not limited to Nigerian and the earlier the government acts decisively, the better for the future of the nation.

The army boss, who was speaking while welcoming the House Committee on Internal Security to Army Headquarters, expressed his appreciation for their concern.

He reassured the committee that the Nigerian Army remained apolitical and committed to the job of supporting the civil authorities to enhance security.

General Ihejirika said just as they were representatives of the people in the National Assembly, the Army were the representatives of Nigerians when it came to the force of arms.

According to him, “we also look beyond the confines of this country, the whole of the West African region is looking up to this country to find a solution to the menace of Boko Haram.”

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Shekarau for president!!!
written by Primesam, February 01, 2012

This is a man that would have been voted president in Nigeria if 'presidential debate' was all that was required. By now, he probably would have appointed Boko Haram ministers and special advisers.

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