Police IG escapes death as bomb explosion rocks force headquarters

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Nigerian Police, Top Stories Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The Police Headquarters in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has been bombed by
some unknown people.

It is feared that the Inspector General of Police, Hafeez Ringim and other top police
brass were the targets of the attack as the bomb went off shortly after the convoy of
IG entered the premises of Force Headquarters.

Eye witness said that the incident happened around 10: 49 am when a car was
moving dangerously towards the direction of Inspector General of Police, Afeez
Ringim’s convoy as it was just entering the force headquarters premises.

The bomb was believed to have been carried by the car whose occupant’s identity
has not been known.

Another source revealed that the car followed the IG’s convoy to the Force
Headquarters with the intention of ramming into the BMW car marked NPF 01
carrying the Police Boss.

But the IG was saved from his untimely death by one of his men who intercepted the
car and insisted that he driver should park elsewhere as he was heading for the
space designated for the IG’s car.

It was believed that both the officer who intercepted the car and the occupant of the
car died in the explosion as the bomb went off almost immediately the car was
intercepted.

This is coming less than a month when an explosion in Zuba area of FCT killed and
injured several others on May 29 when President Goodluck Jonathan was being
inaugurated.

The explosion which is the fourth in the nation’s capital since October 1st 2010 left
in its wake several casualties and many burnt vehicles.

An inside source said that the Police authority as at the time of compiling this report
was yet to ascertain the identities of the victims, the number of deaths as well as
the extent of damages.

Men of Nigeria Fire Service were at the scene of the blast which took place inside
the main car park of Louis Edet House battling to put out the fire which ravaged
several cars inside the car park.

As at the time of filling this report, parents and guardians whose wards attend the
Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Nursery and Primary School located
directly opposite the Police Headquarters were seeing rushing to the school to take
custody of their wards.

The Police authority has since cordoned off the area which has also caused a
serious traffic gridlock around Area 11 and other adjoining roads in the area.

Immediately the blast which shook the foundations of most buildings in the area
including the Aso Rock presidential Villa, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of
Nigeria, men of the Nigerian Army were the first to arrive at the scene for rescue
operation.

This was as those injured have been rushed to Asokoro and Maitama General
Hospital.

Though nobody has claimed responsibility for the bomb blast which has put a
question mark on the strength of Nigeria Police, it might not be unconnected with
the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

The Police IG only two days ago vowed that the Boko Haram sect days are
numbered promising that he would deploy all machineries to fight the group

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