Ex-speaker, Rt Hon. Dogara petitions IGP over threat to his life, those of 3 others
The former speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, has written a petition to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali over an alleged threat to his life by a fellow constituent of his federal constituency (Dass/Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa) in Bauchi state.
The petition addressed to the IGP and other security agencies was titled: “Appeal for a thorough investigation into gun-running activities involving Inspector Dakat Samuel, Inspector Auwalu Mohammed, and Barau Joel Amos (Sarkin Yaki) as it relates to the confession of Barau Joel Amos that he sought to buy the rifles to kill me and three others”.
According to Dogara, Barau Joel confessed to having bought a rifle to kill him along with three other of his constituency namely Barr. Istifanus Bala Gambar, Rev. Markus Musa and Mr Emmanuel.
“I have been authoritatively informed that the said Barau Joel Amos has confessed that the reason he sought to buy the rifles is to kill me and three of my constituents, vis: Bar Istifanus Bala Gambar, Rev Markus Musa (CAN Chairman, T/Balewa) and Emmanuel (Chairman NL, T/Balewa).
“I find it worrisome that there has been no official advice from the police relating to this credible threat to our lives to enable us to beef up security around us or just to be careful about our movements. More so, there is a spike in cases of kidnappings and killings by unknown gunmen, especially in Lere District of T/Balewa”, Dogara said.
Dogara told Nigeria’s Chief Security Officer that the matter has already been before the DCP Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Bauchi State Command, adding that “it involves looting of the police armoury in Bauchi by the very officers who were entrusted with the safe custody of the arms and a constituent of mine, Barau Joel Amos has been buying assault rifles from the officers.”
The former speaker cited an example with a recent case of an attack at Boto town where some relations of a former Governor of the State, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu were killed while some were abducted, describing the security situation in T/Balewa where the suspect, Barau Joel Amos comes from as very deteriorating.
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Honourable Yakubu Dogara maintained that the police investigations on the suspect cover some areas which included his confession relating to those who gave him or contributed the money for him to be using to procure weapons, stressing that his bank account statements and phone call logs will collaborate his confessions.
“Granted his meagre salary as a storekeeper in a Secondary School, it will have taken him a lifetime of savings to be able to raise the N1.2 million cash which he wanted to use to buy the two rifles. It must be noted that he does not earn any additional dime from any known legitimate business he is known to operate.
“Is it in vain that upon hearing that Barau Joel Amos has been arrested and detained that his closest associates all fled T/Balewa town? requesting that the suspects be apprehended no matter where they may be hiding within the country so that they may tell the authorities what they know that scared them to the point of abandoning their families at home while they live as fugitives elsewhere.
“There are witnesses in T/Balewa town to the criminal activities of the said Barau Joel Amos and his close associates most of whom have now fled the town to avoid arrest as it is said, the guilty runneth even when no one is pursuing him. I am sure so many patriotic residents of T/Balewa town will be more than willing to provide the needed assistance to investigators”, Dogara said.
He appealed to the IGP to use his office to ensure that a thorough and all-encompassing investigation is carried out so that all those in the loop are apprehended and brought to book in order to restore lasting peace in the Lere District of T/Balewa LGA.
