Beheading of Bridget Agbahime: Bakassi Boys plan reprisal killings in South East

• Give FG one week ultimatum for justice to be done

By CYPRIAN AJAH, Enugu

THE dreaded Bakassi Boys have become apprehensive over the beheading of an Igbo woman resident in Kano State, Mrs. Bridget Agbahime, last week.

The dreaded group was noticed to be having several crucial meetings at the weekend where a difficult decision was taken to give the federal government one week grace to see what will be done to the perpetrators of the evil act in the North before they will commence action.

One of the leaders of the group disclosed that after the one week and nothing is done, they may be compelled to respond to the ‘religious war’ that have been visibly declared by northern Muslims against the Igbo people. “Only God will determine the direction or consequences of the war when it starts; the good thing is that the Northern Muslims also have their people in our states as well,” he declared.

He, however, said that their leaders have them to hold their peace within the next one week, while they interact with other Igbo leaders who are expected to send a strong delegation to Abuja.

Mrs. Bridget Agbahime was beheaded last Friday at Kofar Wambai Market, Kano, for blaspheming the Islamic religion. The killers carried her blood spilling head, dancing round the city of Kano, in their views, as required by the Quran.

More so, there is rising tension across the country.

Boko Haram insurgents have started regrouping and scaring away returnee IDPs in Yobe and Adamawa states while threatening attacks during the Ramadan; the Niger Delta Avengers and other Niger Delta militants groups blowing up oil pipelines; ND Avengers planned air missile attacks on June 7; and the IPOB also plan reprisal attacks in conjunction with Bakassi Boys over the killing of the Pastor’s wife and the massacre last week in the South East.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon E. Arase, has appalled for calm over the mob and extra-judicially murdered of Bridget Agbahime; assuring the family of the deceased and indeed, the general public, that justice shall be done in the case.

The IG, in a statement by ACP Olabisi Kolawole, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, confirmed that the Kano State Police Command has succeeded in arresting two key suspects in connection with the unfortunate incident. Those arrested include Dauda Ahmed and Subeiru Abubakar.

“In order to ensure a diligent and professional investigation, the Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) to deploy the Homicide Section of the Department to immediately take over the investigation of the case and ensure a meticulous investigation and speedy prosecution of the arrested suspects,” Kolawole declared.

Advertisement

The Inspector General of Police also directed the Commissioner of Police of Kano State to sustain the community engagement actions which he is currently initiating with all strategic security stakeholders and community leaders in the State with a view to dousing the tension being generated by the condemnable incident.

ALSO SEE: Bridget Abahime Murder: President Buhari, IGP condemns incident, assure speedy justice

In addition, detachments of Mobile and conventional Police as well as the intelligence assets of the Force have been deployed to protect law abiding citizens, reassure the public, prevent the incident from degenerating into a major security threat and aid the Homicide Section being deployed in the location and apprehension of other suspects who are currently at large.

The Force leadership empasised the sanctity of human lives and condemns in the strongest possible terms the violation of the right to life of citizens under any guise. The Inspector General of Police and the entire Nigeria Police Family, therefore, condoled the family, friends and colleagues of the late victim; reassuring that the Force shall uphold its Mandate touching on criminal justice delivery in the most firm and speedy fashion in this instance and in other cases of this nature.

The Police promised that members of the public will be updated on progress of investigation into the case.

The IG also called on Kano State residents and indeed, all citizens, to imbibe the culture of tolerance, rule of law and peaceful co-existence and to trust and cooperate with the police as we strive to ensure justice in this case.

President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, described as sad and regrettable the developments that led to the killing of Bridget Agbahime in Kano.

The President condoled with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbahime, the family and relations, praying that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

President Buhari also commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect behind the killing, as well as the Kano State Government, which summoned a meeting of Christian and Islamic leaders, widower of the deceased, and security agencies, as soon as the sad event occurred on Friday.

President Buhari promised that justice would be done in the matter, appealing topeople not to take the law into their hands. He equally charged those who may want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right, and that when law and order breaks down, those who become victims are never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

“The incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, is utterly condemnable, and the state government has been quite proactive. Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done. Let us learn to respect each other’s faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace,” the President said.

Moreover, Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, expressed dismay over the beheading of the Igbo woman in Kano. “It saddens me to hear of the brutal murder of Mrs. Bridget in Kano State over allegations of Blasphemy and I want to strongly condemn this act of extremity. Nobody has a right to take another person’s life in such a barbaric and cruel manner and I call on the Kano State Government to fish out the perpetrator of this obnoxious act and make them face the law for their actions,” Akpabio stated.

Expressing his condolence to the Victim’s family, the Senate Minority Leader appealed for calm across the country, noting that the law enforcement agencies is working hard to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Advertisement