The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has insisted that officers if the Nigerian Army who killed three policemen and a civilian to free a kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Wadume, have a connection to the wanted criminal.
The Intelligence Response Team, led by ASP Felix Adolije, were taking handcuffed Wadume to the Command Headquarters in Jalingo, when the soldiers gunned them down.
A very senior officer, who spoke to newsmen in confidence, said, “We have a deep suspicion that the soldiers deliberately killed the policemen to protect Wadume whom we suspect they were trying to protect and that explains why someone who was placed in handcuffs and leg chains could escape from the armed soldiers. Is it not ironical?
“That is why the police would not leave anything to chance to get to Wadume first before the military, because chances are that they might kill him to protect their connection to those soldiers who killed their fellow security suspect to protect a kidnap kingpin.”
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Another top police officer said, “A critical assessment of the attack on our men and the release of Wadume shows that there is a strong connection between the soldiers and Wadume. The moment we lay our hands on the suspect, everything will be laid bare and Nigerians will be made to know that the attack on our men was premeditated.
“It was a conspiracy to protect the suspect from paying for his crime. We are hoping that the military would not get to the suspect before we do.”
Meanwhile, The Punch reports that Wadume was a generous man who is well-known in his community, Ibi, and surrounding areas.
He reportedly gave out money, motorcycles and cars to individuals and community leaders, which endeared him to the people, including security officials, in the area.
His generousity recently earned him the title of Sarkin Samarin of Ibi community.