Zakari Biu Dismissed From The Nigeria Police Force, Over Kabiru Sokoto's Escape

Zakari Biu, the suspended commissioner of police under whose supervision captured Boko Haram kingpin, Kabiru Sokoto escaped from police custody on January 15, 2011 has been dismissed from the Nigeria police force by the Police Service Commission.

Biu's anticipated dismissal was linked to his culpability in the escape of Sokoto during an investigative trip to Abaji, a statement signed by Mr. Ferdinand Ekpe on behalf of the chairman of the commission, Mr. Parry Osayande, said.

The decision to dismiss Biu was taken at the meeting of the PSC, Wednesday, in Abuja.

The statement, made available to Vanguard, reads in part:
"The Police Service Commission during its 26th Plenary Meeting held on the 22nd of February, 2012, and in exercise of its constitutional mandate, deliberated on a wide range of issues.  The meeting which was presided over by Mr. Parry B.O. Osayande, DIG (Rtd), CFR, OFR, NPM. mni, Chairman of the Commission, took far-reaching decisions aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force for effective service delivery to the Nigerian Nation.

"The Police Service Commission, after due consideration of the role played by Commissioner of Police, Hassan Zakari Biu, in the escape of the Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, today 22nd February, 2012 approved the dismissal of Mr. Hassan Zakari Biu  from the Nigeria Police Force with effect from February 22, 2012."

In announcing Biu's dismissal, Parry Osayande called on all personnel of the Nigeria Police Force to rise up to the current security challenges confronting the nation, warning that the Police Service Commission "would not hesitate to wield the big stick on all who would not put in their best towards the furtherance of the Nigeria Police Reform."

Prior to his eventual dismissal , Zakari Biu was a Commissioner of Police in charge of criminal investigations at the Zone 7 command, Abuja. He was saddled with Boko Haram investigations by former Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.

Biu's recent travails began following the escape of Kabiru Sokoto, who is believed to have masterminded last year's dastardly Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State  where over 40 people were killed. Sokoto was rescued in questionable circumstances by a mob of suspected Boko Haram youths during a Biu-supervised police investigative mission to Abaji.

Biu was consequently suspended for dereliction of duty by his former boss, Ringim, who was sent on forced retirement by President Jonathan.

Sokoto was re-arrested recently on February 10 in Mutum-Biu Village in Taraba state by a joint team of SSS and Army operatives. He has since been divulging useful information about the operations of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect to security operatives.