By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Yakubu Dogara, the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman, over a plot by one of his constituents, who is collaborating with some police officers to eliminate him.
Hon. Dogara also revealed that the assassins are targeting three other persons including the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi state.
Dogara, who is in his fourth term representing Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, disclosed this in a petition addressed to the IGP, and obtained by NATIONAL ACCORD on Saturday night.
The petition, dated August 18th, 2022, was also copied to the National Security Adviser; the Director General, Department of State Services; the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State and the Director, Department of State Services, Bauchi State.
It was entitled: “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 in order to kill me and three others.”
He said that the above named officers who have been arrested are being investigated for allegedly trying to sell rifles to one of his constituents, pointing out that the rifle in question, according to the confession of his constituent, Barau Joel Amos who sought to buy it, was to be used to kill him and three other people.
Dogara warned that the issue should not be toyed with as his life is at stake.
He said: “I wish to draw your attention to the above matter which is currently before the DCP Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police, Bauchi State Command. I am sure you are seized of the matter by now since it involves looting of your armory in Bauchi by the very officers who are entrusted with the safe custody of your arms and a constituent of mine, Barau Joel Amos who sought to buy or has been buying assault rifles from the officers.
“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, Tafawa Balewa) and Emmanuel (Chairman NL, Tafawa 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 beef up security around us or just to be careful about our movements.
“Moreover, there is a spike in cases of kidnappings and killings by unknown gunmen especially in Lere District of Tafawa Balewa. A case in point was the attack at Boto town where some relations of a former Governor of the State were killed while some were abducted.
“In view of the deteriorating security situation in Tafawa Balewa LGA where the suspect comes from, I wish to appeal to you to use your good offices 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 Tafawa Balewa LGA.
“With all due respect, this is a matter that must not be handled with kid gloves,” he stated.
The lawmaker advised the IGP that the prime suspect should be in relation to where he got the N1.2 million with which he was going to buy the rifle with since he was just a store keeper in a secondary school.
He said: “I wish to suggest that the investigation cover the following areas: His confession relating to those who gave him or contributed the money for him to be used to procure weapons. His Bank Statements and phone call logs will definitely collaborate his confessions.
“Granted his meager salary as a store keeper in a Secondary School, it will have taken him a lifetime savings to be able to raise the N1.2m 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.
“So, the said Barau Joel Amos could not have been acting alone, it is clear that he is being fully funded by his ilks; some evil and criminally minded people.
“Is it in vain that upon hearing that Barau Joel Amos has been arrested and detained that his closest associates all fled Tafawa Balewa town? It will be important to apprehend them 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 Tafawa 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 Tafawa Balewa town will be more than willing to provide the needed assistance to investigators.
“I urge you to ensure that this matter is thoroughly investigated at the highest level and to ensure the prosecution of these types of people who kill others, live off and profiteer from crimes.
“I also urge you to help expose this criminal enterprise in order to protect us who have been named as those to be killed and the public. Let me hasten to add that it is in the public interest for you to do so.”
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