Jonathan Silent On Ringim

Nearly 48 hours after the elapse of the marching order from the Federal Government to Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police to either re-arrest fleeing Boko Haram chieftain, Kabiru Umar, (aka Kabiru Sokoto,) suspected to be the mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church that claimed over 40 lives, or lose his job, President Goodluck Jonathan seemed not to have made up his mind on what to do with his Police Chief.

This is even as the Police and the State Security Services dismissed rumours that the suspects has been re-arrested this morning.

The Federal Government, through Caleb Olubolade, the Minister of Police Affairs told journalists last Wednesday that Ringim has been given a query which he must answer within 24 hours over the escape of the suspect from the custody of a police team who had taken him for a search in his house located at Abaji area of Abuja last Sunday.

Though the team was led by notorious police officer, Zakari Biu, who is presently being detained over the incident, the Minister told journalists that Ringim is also culpable over the escape of the suspect.

“He is the field officer; he has the responsibility to ensure all operations regarding arrest and all that are conducted in the usual manner,” Olubolade said on why the IGP was queried.

“If he is found guilty of complicity, he himself will have to account for his mistakes,” Olubolade told journalists.

When the minister was asked if the IGP can be sacked over the escape of the Boko Haram suspect, his answer was: “Yes, anybody, including myself.”

Though call for the sack of Ringim has been loud over the escape of Kabiru said to be number two in the hierarchy of the militant Islamic sect, President Goodluck Jonathan seemed to be taking his time to the discomfiture of many Nigerians.

“The 24 hours ultimatum given to Ringim to find Kabir has expired. What is the President still waiting for,” Abubakar Mohammed, an Abuja-based trader told P.M.NEWS this morning.

P.M.NEWS however, gathered that the police have intensified the search for the suspect.

Yesterday, the police formally declared Kabiru wanted with a reward of N50 million for anybody that can give information that will lead to his arrest.

“We also heard the news yesterday and that was why we declared him wanted. He has not been arrested”, Assistant Police Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajayi told P.M.NEWS in reaction to speculation that the Boko Haram chieftain was re-arrested at one of Nigeria’s border areas yesterday.

Marilyn Ogar, spokesperson for the Department of State Security Services also said on national television this morning that the search for the Boko Haram suspect is still on.

She added that all the security agencies are working to ensure that the suspect is brought to book.

“We are encouraging Nigerians who have seen him to come forward to the security agencies. We shouldn’t say because the police have allowed him to go, let police go and get him. We must join hands with the security agencies to bring Kabiru to book,” Ogar said.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the Presidency is still weighing its options in the choice of the new IG. There are also indications that feverish lobbying for the position has begun among qualified officers.

If seniority is followed in choosing a successor to Ringim, then Nigeria may have its first female IG as the Deputy Inspector-General, (DIG) of Police, Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, who is the 2nd in Command to Ringim, may be appointed.

But the President can also pick any member of Police management team which includes DIGS Azubuko Udah (Administration); Alhaji Audu Abubakar (Operations); Alhaji Saleh Abubakar (Logistics and Supply); Alhaji Sardauna Abubakar (Training); and Alhaji Mohammed Yesufu (Management Services). The President also has the power to choose outside of the DIG rank and could choose any of the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police like he did in the case of Ringim.

—Oluokun Ayorinde/Abuja