Thursday 19 January 2012

IGP queried, faces sack, Over Boko Haram suspect’s escape, Minister orders arrest of policemen


THE Federal Government has indicated that Inspector General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim may lose his job following the escape from police custody of an individual suspected to be the mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Captain Caleb Olubolade (retd), who disclosed this to State House correspondents on Wednesday, said even as the minister in charge of police, his job was not also safe until an acceptable explanation had been given to President Goodluck Jonathan.
He confirmed that the IGP had been queried and given 24 hours to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him over the incident.
Olubolade also revealed that government had ordered the arrest of all policemen involved in the operation leading to the escape of the suspect, including Commissioner of Police Zakari Biu.
According to him, “that was an unfortunate incident but measures will be put in place now to address the [issue of the] escaped suspect.
“From the ministry, I have directed the IG to carry out full investigation and even at a higher level above that one, there will be another investigation to ascertain what led to the suspect's escape.
“I have also directed that the officers involved and the personnel involved should be detained immediately.”
On what action might be taken against the police officers, he remarked that “you would have seen in the papers that the commissioner of police has been suspended. In fact, beyond that, I have ordered that he be placed under close arrest.”
He explained that the IGP was queried because “he has the responsibility to ensure all operations regarding arrest and all that are conducted in the usual manner.
“If he is found guilty of complicity, he himself will have to account for his mistakes.”
Source

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