Police IG, Hafiz Ringim, May Be Sacked After Christmas Day Bomber Escapes

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Kabir Sokoto, the alleged mastermind, escaped from police custody 24 hours after he had been arrested by the police during a commando-style raid at the Borno State Governor’s lodge in Abuja.

In the aftermath of the suspect’s dramatic escape, many Nigerians have described it as a “national embarrassment,” and called for the sack of Ringim.

Already, on the prompting of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade, has issued a query to the IGP, asking the police boss to explain within 24 hours the circumstances surrounding the escape. The query also asked Ringim to show why he should not be punished for negligence since the ultimate responsibility to keep the escapee was his.

The development came as the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi (retd.), described the escape of Sokoto as a drawback to the anti-terrorism fight.

In an SMS sent to one of our correspondents on Tuesday night, Azazi said that President Goodluck Jonathan would want to know what happened. He said the incident could portray the government as unserious with its anti-terrorism war.

Azazi said, “This is a regrettable drawback on our efforts. What it means (is that) government Could be seen differently.”


Olubolade on Wednesday confirmed that he had queried Ringim, saying the IGP as the number one police officer had the responsibility to ensure that the high profile suspect was secure.

“If he (the IGP) is found guilty of complicity, he himself would have to account for his mistakes,” the minister told State House Correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja. The minister came out of the Executive Chamber looking disturbed.

When he was asked whether the IGP could be sacked over the matter, he said, “Yes, anybody (could), including me.”

He also said he had ordered that the Commissioner of Police, Zakari Biu, who was suspended over the escape be detained.

He said, “From the ministry, I have directed the IG to carry out full investigations 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 and the other personnel involved should be detained immediately. You would have seen in the newspapers that the Commissioner of Police has been suspended. In fact, beyond that, I have ordered that he be placed under arrest.

“If somebody has erred in his responsibility, the outcome of the investigation will prove that. What is important is that whatever step we are going to take as a result of this neglect, we have to take it immediately.”

Olubolade was asked if the suspect’s escape was a confirmation of the President’s position that members of Boko Haram had infiltrated his government and security agencies. He replied, “I cannot confirm that statement. What is important is that the suspect is amiss and all steps must be taken to re-arrest him.

While that is pending, the officers involved, those who conducted the search, must be detained so that the outcome of the investigation will lead to whatever punishment will be given.”

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