My life is in danger, Dogara petitions IGP

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman, over an attempt to kill him by one of his constituents.

He also alleged that three other people including the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State are also being targeted.

Dogara, who represents Dass/Tafawa Balewa/Bogoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, disclosed this in a petition addressed to the IGP, which was obtained by our correspondent in Bauchi on Saturday night.

The letter 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.

The petition which was dated August 18th, 2022 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 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.

The lawmaker said 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.

He said he was worried that there has been no official advice from the police relating to the credible threat to their lives to enable them beef up security around them for them to be more careful about their movements, just as he warned that the issue should not be toyed with.

The petition read in part, “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 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 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.”

(Punch)