THERE were multiple explosions and gunshots in Kano, the Kano State capital yesterday, ostensibly by Boko Haram members, leading to policemen scampering for safety and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso imposing a 24-hour curfew on the city.

This comes just as the federal government yesterday set up a panel of inquiry to investigate the escape of Kabiru Umar (also known as Kabiru Sokoto), the alleged mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing of St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State that claimed over 44 lives, from police custody.

A source said the first explosions occurred around 4.30pm at the Zone 1 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police in the ever-crowded farm centre and Bompai axis of the metropolis, when a suicide bomber with a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into the gate of the Police House and drove towards the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone, before detonating the bomb.

The casualty figures could not be obtained, but an eyewitness said he saw charred remains of several persons.

Another bomb was said to have gone off at the farm centre axis of the metropolis, leading to more deaths.

The passport office in the area was in flames, just as a police post believed to be the target of the attack was also reduced to rubbles.

As at 7 pm yesterday, the deafening sound of bombs and gunshots was yet to abate in the metropolis.

An ECWA Church and several other churches were among the areas badly affected by the explosives.

Smoke could also been seen coming from the Marhaba and Gyadi-Gyadi neighbourhood, as motorcyclists and motorists fled the areas.

A source said the attack started when some armed youths laid siege to a police station in the city, firing several shots for about 45 five minutes, ostensibly before bombing it, leaving it in smoke. A police van was said to have later arrived at the scene.

There was confusion in the city, as residents struggled to get out of harm’s way, while those already at home remained in-doors.

The degree of damage and number of casualties could not immediately be ascertained, as the situation remained tense.

A suspected Boko Haram member who attempted to bomb the Kano headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) was arrested after his bid failed.

By 7.30 pm, calm gradually started returning to the city after an exchange of sporadic gunfire between soldiers and policemen and members of the sect.

In Abuja, Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd), who disclosed this, noted that the panel, made up of senior officials of the ministry and military officers, had been given a week to submit its findings on how Sokoto managed to escape while being transferred for interrogation in Abuja.

The suspect is believed to be a member of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which claimed responsibility for the heinous act.

Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim has already been queried over the escape of the suspect, the response of which he said was being considered by the panel.

Sokoto’s disappearance is an embarrassing blow to President Goodluck Jonathan, who has imposed emergency rule in parts of four states in a bid to curb the sect’s onslaught.

The Police have offered a N50 million reward for information that could lead to the re-arrest of the suspect, and already, a police officer, Zakari Biu, a newly promoted Commissioner of Police (CP), is being questioned in connection with the escape.

Shortly after the church bombing, President Goodluck Jonathan admitted that the sect and sympathisers have infiltrated virtually all sections of the system, including government officials.

Sokoto, who was arrested last Saturday at the Borno Governor’s Lodge in Abuja in company of a Nigeria Airforce officer, was freed by suspected Boko Haram members who allegedly attacked the police escorts trying to transfer him.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for several bombings and killings in Nigeria, especially in the northern part of the country, including the August last year suicide bombing of United Nations (UN) headquarters in Abuja that killed over 25.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Works at the Force Headquarters, Mr. Sale Abubakar has decried lack of intelligence in the Force and courage to fight back in the face of terrorist attacks.

Abubakar, who was on a two-day working visit to Benue State, said this while addressing officers and men of the Force at the state command headquarters in Makurdi.

He expressed dismay at the way and manner Boko Haram sect and criminals blow up police stations in the country without any arrest.

He stressed the need for officers to be more proactive in tackling terrorist activities in the country.

When intimated that a school of intelligence training has been established in Kano to train police officer in the act of intelligence gathering to avert terrorist and criminal activities in the country, the DIG further decried corruption in the Force.

SMokescreen

okosodo:

SMokescreen

Every single kobo your equally useless parents have invested in giving you some education has been a complete waste; you are still as deficient in basic education, common sense and humanity as your ignorant, uneducated, primitive cave tribe forefathers of ancient generations!

Like i said before, and i am saying it again, its all a smokescreen