Naija News

ABUJA— At the venue where Sokoto was paraded, reporters had a chat with the SSS spokeswoman Marylin Ogar and Sokoto. EXCERPTS:
What is the fate of Kabiru Sokoto now that he has been re-arrested? Would he be charged to court immediately?
Ogar – “We must ask questions believing that we have just brought him in. He has to undergo all processes – we have processes and procedures – at the end of it definitely he would be charged to court.
But he has rights …
Ogar – Yes, we know he has rights but security agencies too have rights to ensure that we secure the nation. So which right is greater? The right of an individual to cause havoc, or our rights as a collective people in an environment or country? Individual rights must not infringe on the rights of the whole of us as a people.

Can you give Nigerians details of how he escaped initially from custody, and what is the guarantee that he would not escape again?
Ogar – “If Kabiru should escape from our custody, we would hold you responsible.
How was he arrested? Did he resist? What was the environment like where he was arrested?
Ogar – As security operatives, whether we die in the process of our duty is irrelevant to Nigerians. Nigerians expect us to give them services and those services we have rendered. We have brought forth Kabiru Sokoto who was declared missing. I think that is enough. How we went about his arrest is our own business, it’s private to us. We operate under the need-to-know principle and we would not begin to tell you our mode of operation.
What is the fate of Kabiru’s accomplices, the occupants of the residence where he was re-arrested? Was he alone when he was arrested?
Ogar – “Of course I have said he was arrested in a residence, would he be alone in a residence? I don’t see how that affects us. It doesn’t really matter whether he was alone or not. He was not arrested in the bush. He was arrested at somebody’s residence and that is why we have always continued to call on Nigerians to give information. People had him and kept him without giving out information. And so when he escaped from lawful custody, his photograph was made public. We are calling on all Nigerians – we have always done so – to assist the security agencies. The fight against terror is not a single agency or single individual fight.
What now happens to those in whose residence he was caught?
Ogar– “I want to ask, do you want me to tell you our operational procedures?
We want to know exactly what will happen to them.
When it is time for us to tell you about those people, we will talk to you. Now we are talking to you about Kabiru Sokoto. He is the one all Nigerians are waiting to see and that is why we have called you almost immediately to go and tell Nigerians that security agencies are working. We are not sleeping, earning salaries and not putting in our worth.
Is it the SSS alone or a joint team that captured him, and are you speaking for the SSS now?
Ogar – “I beg your pardon. When I speak, I speak for the security agencies. I have not singled out the police or anybody to show favouritism. If a single Nigerian is declared wanted, it’s the collective responsibility of all Nigerians and all security agencies.
Will the N50m placed on Kabiru’s head be given to the operatives that got him as a form of motivation to them?
Ogar – “Please, we all work together as a family. Can you collect the money and let’s share please? (general laughter). If you push forward, the money will be given to us. Thank you.”
In the course of your preliminary investigations since morning till now, has Kabiru made any confessional statements?
Ogar – “I think the first group Kabiru has appeared before is the press and so you are lucky.
But you did not permit us to interrogate him?
Ogar – “Yes you didn’t talk to him because I know you people because you will begin to ask all sorts of questions. We should be given an opportunity to talk to Kabiru but if I don’t bring Kabiru first, I know I will not have a peaceful Friday not to mention Saturday. So in order to serve you Kabiru hot, we brought him hot too. …..I just brought and ……well, I have been given permission to allow you ask him if he is Kabiru Sokoto. Please just one question, if he is Kabiru Sokoto.
(Kabiru is re-paraded before the press)
Who is Kabiru Sokoto?
Kabiru Sokoto – I am the one.