Police ban movement of explosives (duhhh!)

Posted by admin Headlines, Nigerian Police Monday, July 18th, 2011

Amidst increasingly eroding confidence, lack of synergy and discordant tunes emanating from the core security agencies and the military in the wake of rising insecurity, especially in the northern part of the country, the National Security Adviser, General Owoye Azazi, has initiated steps to harmonise and effectively co-ordinate operational activities of the various agencies.

This is coming just as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Hafiz Ringim, announced the placement of embargo on the movement of explosives for commercial or industrial purposes without due clearance from his office.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja on the 700 explosives transported into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by some companies, which were intercepted by soldiers at Lugbe, close to the Abuja city gate, Ringim noted that the police were empowered by law to check and monitor the various companies operating in the country which import and use explosives such as dynamites for construction purposes.

He emphatically denied being contacted by any person or authority on the interception and arrest of the two cops escorting the explosive-laden truck before the incident was leaked to the press, just as he reiterated that the policemen were on lawful duty and had since been released by the military authorities.

While remarking on the evidently discordant tunes from the various security agencies over incidences bordering on insecurity and operations, the IGP gave assurance that the office of the NSA was on top of the situation to ensure that activities of security agencies were properly coordinated and harmonised.
He gave the hope for a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the nation, saying the Federal Government had put in place some measures to address the crises through the security agencies.

Ringim, who recalled the circumstances surrounding the now controversial MAN-Diesel truck loaded with 700 explosives but intercepted recently in Abuja, dismissed reports on the incident as baseless, adding that it was capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
Consequently, he said the police authorities moved to ascertain the facts of the incident and established that on July 13, a truck carrying quarry explosives was on a routine delivery trip.

The IGP further explained that the truck and the quarry explosives belonged to and was travelling from Dynatrac Nigeria Ltd. Magazine, Iperu Remo in Ogun State, “with the quarry explosives meant to be delivered to the following legitimate destinations: Boroni Prono Construction Company Site, Okene; SCC Prono Construction Company Site, Okene; SCC Construction Company, Abuja FCT; Salini Construction Company, Abuja; Arab Contractors, Abuja; Cinnihs Quarry Mpape, Abuja and Habib Quarry, Mpape, Abuja.”
The legitimacy of the explosives, according to Ringim, necessitated the drafting of two policemen from the police anti-bomb squad on lawful escort duty to accompany the truck.

Commenting on why the importation of the explosives could not be banned temporarily as a result of the security challenges in the country, the IGP said it posed danger as many Nigerians working in the construction companies would be thrown into the labour market.
Ringim, who re-assured members of the public of the capability and readiness of the police and other security agencies to curtail the current security crises, however, urged the media to join hands in restoring and maintaining law and order in the country.

-Sunwp_posts