Kabiru Sokoto, the Christmas Day bombing suspect, was re-arrested in the northern Nigerian state of Taraba, Nigeria's police force said Friday.

Sokoto, also known as Kabiru Umar, was wanted in connection with the bombing of a church in Madalla, in the Niger State, an attack that killed at least 18 people, according to Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency.

He escaped police custody in January after suspected gang members attacked his police escort as he was being transferred to another town.

His escape prompted the police inspector general to be summoned to see President Goodluck Jonathan and a reward of 50 million naira ($307,000) for information leading to his arrest.

Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group frequently blamed for sectarian violence in Nigeria, claimed responsibility for the Christmas Day attack.