Governor Sheriff, police at each other’s jugular over Borno serial killings

The state government believes the police cannot tame the gunmen while the police on the other hand, argue that the government is not doing enough to assist them bring to an end, the serial killings. The governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, declared last month that the police are incapable of taming the gunmen having lost more […]

The state government believes the police cannot tame the gunmen while the police on the other hand, argue that the government is not doing enough to assist them bring to an end, the serial killings. The governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, declared last month that the police are incapable of taming the gunmen having lost more of their personnel in the recent killings by the gunmen who have been terrorizing the state since July.  The governor also called for the deployment of troops to the state when the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika, visited the state. The governor then donated 40 patrol vehicles to the army with a promise to install communication gadgets.

“We have to involve the army to ensure the security of lives and property in the state because out of about 20 people killed by these perpetrators, the police have the largest number. To me, it suggests that the police may not be able to protect themselves alone and we have to look for more collaboration from other security agencies particularly the army. That is why the government decided to donate these vehicles to the soldiers to join the police bring the killing of innocent people to the end,” he said

But the commissioner of police, Muhammed J. Abubakar, last week maintained that the police are recording successes in their efforts to curtail the serial killers. According to him, the stop and search as well as house-to-house search of suspected members of Boko Haram, believed to be behind the killings have yielded results, adding that no fewer than 47 suspects would be transferred to the force headquarters in Abuja to answers question regarding the issue.

He said the idea behind the transfer of their cases to Abuja was to create two way investigations, to create a scenario of making the suspected serial killers uncomfortable and divided by facing investigators both in Abuja and Borno at the same time. “The method is to divide them, make them lose concentration and uncomfortable in their dastard act,” he added.

He also disclosed that the police have identified the principal suspect of the serial killings, said to be on the run, adding that his family house has been searched while the police are already in possession of his picture. He said the police might be compelled to declare the alleged prime suspect wanted if he fails to present himself in time.

CP Abubakar said he has deployed his men in plain clothes to some strategic places including markets, banks, supermarkets, filling stations, hospitals and other public buildings to trail the assailants, stressing that the police is closing in on the serial killers. He urged the people not to entertain fears as the police are doing everything possible to nip the killing in the bud.

The commissioner pointed out that he is unhappy with the refusal of the state government to assist the police with operational vehicles to fish out the serial killers. He added that he interpreted government’s action as lack of attention and interest in pursuing effective policing of the state and taming the fundamentalists who have held the state by the jugular.

“When I came to the state recently, I met serious challenges of religious fundamentalists that have taken hold on the otherwise peaceful state. I discovered the police did not have operational vehicles and I wrote to the state government for help in this regard and unfortunately, they are not forthcoming. Both the army and police made the request but that of the army has been granted. To me, I see this as lack of attention and interest and it is a serious challenge,” he said.

Most residents seem to have also lost confidence in the government, police and even the army. Last week, some residents of Ummarari and Nggarannam area, alleged that some soldiers entered their houses and forced their door open in the name of looking for suspected members of the Boko Haram. Babagana Kachalla, a resident of the area, alleged that some military men entered their houses and got away with items which include handsets, money and Sallah meat. Some residents believed that the action of the soldiers is in response to the killing of a private soldier two weeks ago in a local restaurant in Zannari area of the metropolis, the first since the serial killing in the state.

But the 21st armoured brigade of the Nigerian army public relations officer, Lieutenant Abubakar Abdullahi, while reacting to the allegations of assault by some soldiers on residents, told Kanem Trust that the army authorities never received any complaints from members of the public. He said, “we have rules of engagement guiding our operation in peace keeping. Members of the public who have complaint against any soldier are free to come and lay their complaints and anybody found wanting will be dealt with.” .

Members of the public should not panic as the military is committed to ensure protection of lives and property and bring the killings to an end,” the army spokesman added.

The insecurity situation is also having adverse effects on commercial activities because of restrictions of motorcycle operators which is the major means of transportation. Motorcycle movement was restricted from 6am to 6pm because the gunmen mostly used motorcycles to perpetrate the act. Some residents believe the restriction, though justified, is a case of punishing many for the sin of a few. Even the night life in Maiduguri, the state capital, is at its ebb as residents always stay indoors for fear of what can happen next. The streets are always deserted like a grave yard with few cars passing and security men on different check points. If only all those concerned in ensuring the protections of lives and property can live up to their responsibility only then will the state return to its normal self.