29th April, 2013
MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Ringim
No fewer than five people died during Sunday night attack on Ringim town, Jigawa state, northwest Nigeria.
Sources close to government and security agencies said three police men and two civilians were gunned down by suspected terrorists who invaded Ringim town at about 8 p.m. Sunday, attacking a Divisional Police station, a branch of Unity Bank and the residence of immediate past Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim.
Hafiz upon losing his position as Inspector-General of Police, last year fled Nigeria to Saudi Arabia for the fear of being attacked by the Boko Haram Islamic terrorists who allegedly issued a number threats to him.
The former IGP whose tenure had tough times with the Islamic sect recently applied for asylum to the United Kingdom, citing threat to his life by the Islamic terrorists as reasons.
P.M. NEWS reports that the residence of the former police chief was not bombed as earlier speculated, “they actually wanted to attack Hafiz Ringim’s house. Objects that looked like explosives were thrown inside the compound but they did not explode,” said an eyewitness.
It was also observed that the Divisional Police headquarters and a branch of Unity Bank located close to Ringim’s house were torched by the suspected militants who invaded Ringim with Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, and guns.
Vehicles were also burnt.
The state Commissioner of Police, Kayode Joel Theophilus earlier told newsmen that the assailants were armed robbers who targeted a bank within the area, but vented their anger on the public when they met hitches during the operation.
However, as at the time of filing this report, the Police Chief could not respond to a text message by our Correspondent demanding for the casualty figure, neither did he pick several calls put across to him.
This is the first time Jigawa state is recording a major attack linked to Islamic militants.
It was also gathered that refugees from Bama in Borno state camped in Ringim.
The Jigawa state Governor, Sule Lamido, has been out of town and is being expected to return today.
His Deputy, Ahmed Mahmoud Gumel led top government officials and security chiefs to the scene of the incident Monday morning.
The Deputy Governor confirmed the death of three police men and two guards at Unity Bank, but described the incident as the action of criminals.
“This is the act of criminals who came to rob Unity Bank. I can confirm that three police men lost their lives, including two guards at the Bank. They also burnt the Police anti-bomb van. We urge residents to go about their businesses as the situation is now under control,” said Gumel at the scene of the incident.