Inspector General Of Police, Hafiz Ringim Faces Sack Over Boko Haram Suspect's Escape

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, could be sacked over the dramatic escape of a Boko Haram suspect from police custody, Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Caleb Olubolade, has said.

The minister did not also rule himself out of the sack but said he had issued a query to Ringim to explain within 24 hours circumstances surrounding the escape of Kabiru Sokoto, who was said to be a key suspect in the Christmas Day attacks on St. Theresa’s Church, Madalla, Niger State, which killed over 40 persons.

Olubolade said the government would sack him, Ringim or anyone else implicated by investigations into circumstances surrounding the escape of Sokoto.

A police spokesman said the suspension of Alhaji Zakari Biu, Police Commissioner in charge of CID Zone 7, over the suspect’s escape “is enough punishment for now”.

Sokoto was said to have escaped when some policemen took him to his house in Abaji for a search after which some youths, also suspected to be Boko Haram members, confronted the team and insisted on the release of Sokoto. Olubolade described the escape as unfortunate but assured Nigerians that measures have been put in place to get to the root of the matter.

“That was an unfortunate incident but measures will be put in place now to address the escape. From the ministry, I have directed the IG to carry out full investigation and even at 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. You would have seen in the papers that a commissioner of police has been suspended. In fact, beyond that, I have ordered that he be placed under closed arrest," Olubolade explained.

He admitted that he had issued a query to Ringim who is expected to retire from active service in February. Ringim was asked to, within 24 hours, explain what happened.

The minister denied that the incident was a confirmation that Boko Haram had infiltrated the police. He said the investigation on the matter which should be immediate “will prove that”. “I cannot confirm that statement. What is important is the suspect is amiss and all steps must be taken to re-arrest the suspect. While that is pending, the officers involved who conducted the search must be detained so that the outcome of the investigation will lead to whatever punishment will be given,” he said.

On whether the current situation does not prove bad working relationship between the police and the ministry, he denied. “It is not an indication. If somebody has erred in his responsibility, the outcome of the investigation will prove that. What is important is that whatever steps we are going to take as a result of this neglect we have to take it immediately,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Wednesday granted bail to six Boko Haram suspects alleged to have masterminded the bombing of the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Suleja, Niger State.

They were granted bail in the sum of N2 million and one surety in like sum. The accused persons who are standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on sundry acts of terrorism are: Shuaibu Abubakar, Salisu Ahmed, Umar Babagana Umar, Mohammed Ali, Musa Adam and Umar Ibrahim.

The suspects are standing trial for allegedly conspiring among themselves and others now at large to prepare, plant and detonate Impoverished Explosive Devices (IED) at various public places which led to the deaths of 16 persons at the INEC office in Suleja on April 8, 2011.

Other offences alleged to have been committed by them include the death of three persons at a political rally in Suleja on March 3, 2011; deaths of three Peace Officers on May 23, 2011 at Dakwa Village in Bwari Area Council of the FCT; and the deaths of three persons at the All Christian Fellowship Church Suleja on July 10, 2011.

The suspects were also alleged to have been trained in weapons handling by one Ibrahim Bashir Madalla who is still at large.

The trial judge, Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, in her ruling, also held that the surety must be a Grade Level 12 civil servant working under the Federal Government or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authority and must be resident in Abuja. The surety is also to sign a bond of N2 million, while his status is expected to be confirmed and verified by the prosecution.

Justice Aliyu ordered the six suspects to be remanded in the Kuje prison pending when they fulfil their bail conditions. The trial judge however adjourned to February 7 and 8 for continuation of the trial on the grounds that the court could not proceed with the trial of the accused persons due to the absence of the counsel to the 1st, 3rd and 4th accused persons.

Lawyer to the 2nd, 5th and 6th accused persons Nureeni Suleiman described the bail condition as too stringent. He said he would appeal for variation of the conditions in due cause.

The offences, which the accused persons were alleged to have committed, are contrary to and punishable under Sections 97 and 248 (1) of the Penal Code Law, and Section 15 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Establishment Act 2004.

The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty to the five-count charges.