Fears have gripped policemen and officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as some of them have been directed to write statements on the security breach that led to the bomb that exploded at the car park of the expansive building on Thursday.
A top police source, who made this known to a Punch correspondent on Sunday, said the affected policemen and officers were worried because the incident might cost them their jobs.
About eight people were killed, scores injured and 77 vehicles destroyed in the bombing that an Islamic fundamentalist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility.
A suspected suicide bomber had allegedly breached the security of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, driving a Honda Civic into the police headqurters after joining the IG’s convoy unsearched. The blast had taken place shortly after the convoy drove into the Loius Edet House, the official name of the Police headquarters.
Our source, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the investigations into the blast, however, said that none of those that had been asked to write statements had been detained yet.
He claimed that the bomber had gone to Ringim’s official residence where he told his (Ringim) security aides that he had an information on Boko Haram which he wanted to pass over to the police chief.
According to him, the bearded man, who wore a white kaftan was then allowed to join the Ringim’s convoy unchecked.
The source said, “Nobody knew he carrying a deadly cargo with him. The policemen at the gate saw the Honda Civic without number plate following the IG’s convoy and they thought the driver who had a big beard was with him (Ringim). They didn’t stop him (the suspect) because the IG’s squad that is responsible for Ringim’s security was aware that the man was following him.
“They didn’t stop him and that is why policemen at the gate allowed him in without scanning his car. But no policeman has been sanctioned so far, including the members of IG’s security detail and those at the gate.
“However, one thing I know is that there is apprehension in the headquarters because some policemen and officers have been directed to write statements on the security breach. They are afraid that their jobs might be on the line because of the incident.”
As part of security precautions in the aftermath of the bombing, Ringim had ordered the removal of all vehicles at police stations and formations across the country.
He also directed that all exhibit vehicles be released to their owners on bond.
Meanwhile, anxiety has also gripped residents of the Federal Capital Territory over unmarked cars and motorcycles in the territory.
It was gathered that the residents were disturbed by the fact that the Honda Civic which the suspected suicide bomber used on Thursday had no registration number.
Unmarked vehicles and motorcycles are common sights in the FCT in spite of a law forbidding them.
A resident, Solomon Adebola, told one of our correspondents that the fact that some people could be using unmarked cars and motorcycles showed the laxity in the nation’s security system.
He said, “If an unmarked car could be driven into police headquarters, it shows that we are not safe because everyday, we see unmarked cars in the traffic.
“What assurance do we have that the unmarked car in your front in the traffic is not carrying a bomb?”
When contacted, the Deputy Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Bisi Kazeem, said that the commission would intensify efforts towards ensuring that unmarked vehicles were not allowed to ply the streets in the FCT.
He said, “We have been carrying out routine check on unmarked vehicles across the country.
“But our men will intensify the monitoring exercise We will clampdown and arrest anyone that violates the law by not by not having vehicle plate number or driver’s license.”
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Bomb blast: Internal probe looms in Police HQ
Bomb blast: Internal probe looms in Police HQ
NigerianEye
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Monday, June 20, 2011
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As a boy watching action films, I always saw bombing as a fiction, never knew bombs could be used to destroy in real life.
ReplyDeleteRight now, people are actually bombing people in my country.