Police commissioner in Bauchi, Umar Sanda, said his command has arrested a retired armourer as it expands its investigation into claims by former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, on threats to his life
Gatekeepers News had reported that Dogara wrote to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, alleging that two officers are conspiring with one Barau Joel Amos to take his life.
Dogara said Amos allegedly confessed to buying the rifles from the police officers with the intention of killing him.
He further claimed that Istifanus Bala Gambar, a lawyer, and Markus Musa, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Tafawa Balewa LGA, are also targets in the alleged assassination plot.
“I am sure you are apprised of the matter since it involves looting of your armoury 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 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. More so, there is a spike in cases of kidnappings and killings by unknown gunmen especially in Lere District of T/Balewa,” Dogara said in the petition dated August 18.
On Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Umar Sanda told reporters that the retired armourer was arrested over allegations of missing rifles from the command’s armoury.
Sanda said he has ordered the audit of the command’s armoury, adding that apart from the two rifles intercepted, a rifle has not been accounted for.
“We have expanded our investigations,” he said, adding that the arrested retired armoury officer left the service two years ago.
On the alleged plot to assassinate Dogara, the Police Commissioner said: “We are yet to confirm the claim because it came from only one person, but we have intensified our investigations.
“We will tell the world the outcome of the investigation once we are through with it. There is nothing to hide.”
