Adebiyi calls for Ringim’s sack, overhaul of security agencies

A call has gone to President Goodluck Jonathan to urgently overhaul the country’s security apparatus in order to meet the country’s current security challenges and restore the confidence of the people in his government.

This was the position of the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Peter Awelewa Adebiyi, who said: “In order to demonstrate your political will to carry out the exercise, and as a first step, the time has come for the Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Hafiz Ringim, to be relieved of his duties.

This is to allow for a more competent, vibrant and committed Nigerian officer to take over the mantle of leadership of the Force, as it is becoming very apparent that the Police Force, under the present IGP, can no longer be trusted to adequately protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.”

 Adebiyi said this in response to the multiple bomb attacks in Kano State on Friday, as well as the attacks in Bauchi on Sunday, where some churches were also attacked.

While commiserating with the Federal Government and the entire people of Kano and Bauchi States on the loss of lives and properties during the attacks, Adebiyi said: “The carnage that followed the coordinated and multiple attacks by the Boko Haram sect, is no doubt, a dangerous reflection of the decay within the nation’s security apparatus itself.”

Reflecting on the lapses of the security agencies, Adebiyi said: “How can a high profile alleged terrorist arrested by the Police, within 48 hours of his arrest vanish into the thin air?  How can we believe the story of a purported mob attack on the armed police officers that were detailed to investigate him, without any casualty resulting from either side?

“Perhaps, if the alleged terrorist had not escaped, the Kano multiple bomb explosions may not have occurred.  How are we sure it was not the same alleged terrorist that coordinated the Kano bombings in order to prove that our security agencies may have been compromised and also buttress the point earlier credited to the President, that members of the notorious sect may have infiltrated his government?

“In order to avoid the disintegration of the country as a result of recent happenings, there is an urgent need to have a new orientation and Constitution that will guarantee the safety, lives and continued unity of Nigerians living in all parts of the country. This can only be achieved by the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference.

“Therefore, I wish to passionately appeal to the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to urgently take steps that will instill the confidence of the people in his government. This he can and should do, by appointing very competent, committed and reliable persons, who will exhibit higher sense of responsibility in the sensitive positions they occupy and towards the onerous duty of State to which they are called. Those who have let down the people by their ineptitude and obvious lack of understanding of the needs of Nigeria at this point in time, should be shown the way out of the government, so that our dear country’s nascent democracy can be fully nurtured to maturity in the no distant future.”