Nigeria’s police chief vows to arrest killer gunmen

MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, IGP , Muhammadu Dahiru Abubakar has vowed to apprehend the killers of nine ladies on Polio Immunization assignment in Kano, northwest Nigeria Friday morning.

Gunmen on tricycles attacked health workers at Hotoro and Angwa Uku, suburbs of Kano city, killing nine social health workers.

The incident occurred at a time Police formations in the commercial city were expecting IGP MD Abubakar.

The police boss who was in company of the Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade to commiserate with the people and Government of Kano State over the attack on the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, which claimed six lives,
said that the police have swung into action in their efforts to track down the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

He disclosed that security agents are on the trail of the culprits, promising that in due course, there would be no hiding place for those behind the heinous crime.

“Does the recent killing of 29 persons in America suggest that the security apparatus in the US has collapsed? No, he argued, it should not be judged that way because killings occur all over the world, so what is needed for now is to fortify security and that is what is engaging the attention of men of the Nigeria police,” MD Abubakar submitted.

He lamented that the attack on the Emir’s convoy was very disturbing, assuring that steps are however being taken to tackle the ongoing security challenges.

He however, revealed that encouraging success has been recorded by the police on the issue of the Emir’s attack, as some of the suspects have already been apprehended.

MD Abubakar further stressed that,” we shall not be deterred in the task before us,” pointing out that, “some time, some day, we will overcome the challenges.

“We will do everything within our capacity to restore peace to the ancient city of Kano. We urge the people of the state to assist the police in provide relevant information, as well as intelligence reports that will help the police to knell
the perpetrators of such crimes,” MD Abubakar promised.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the dastardly terrorist attacks in Kano State today which claimed the lives of health workers who were dutifully engaged in vaccinations to protect and save the lives of Nigerian children.

“On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends commiserations to the families of the victims and the government and people of the state”, the President said in a statement signed on his behalf by Reuben Abati, his spokesperson.

The President also assured the bereaved families that the loss of their loved ones will not be in vain as the Federal Government will ensure that the mission to totally eradicate polio from Nigeria in which they were patriotically engaged is carried out to a very successful conclusion.

“President Jonathan further assures all Nigerians and the international community, especially international health organisations and Nigeria’s development partners that the Federal Government will not be distracted from its objective of accelerating the reduction of maternal and child mortality in all parts of Nigeria by mindless acts of terrorism.

“While the Government will continue to do everything possible to track down and apprehend agents of terrorism in the country, the President has directed that enhanced security measures be put in place immediately for health workers in high-risk areas.