Operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team, IRT, have arrested Umar Abdulmalik, the suspected mastermind of the 2015 bombings in Kuje and Nyanya.

In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood which was gotten by Daily Nigerian, the suspect was arrested on Thursday, after a shootout with the police unit three weeks ago in Abuja.

According to the statement, one-eyed Abdulmalik is the mastermind of the Abuja bombings as well as the gang leader of a string of bank robberies in Edo and Ondo State, as well as multiple killings in Abuja and Kogi.

Mr Abdulmalik is also accused of leading the attack that resulted in the death of 7 police officers at Galadimawa Roundabout in Abuja in July 2018, as well as responsible for the killing of officers in Lugbe and Gwagwalada, also in Abuja.

The suspect also allegedly led the assault on a prison in Minna, Niger state, an operation that led to the death of two people and the escape of over 200 prisoners. Over 100 remain at large.

Four of his gang members were also arrested after the shootout.

“We arrested some of his gang members three weeks ago and recovered weapons from them,” Mr Moshood said.