Immediate
past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, may be seeking asylum
in the United Kingdom, Daily Sun has learnt. Shortly after his sack on January
25, 2012, Ringim quietly relocated to the UK and has not stepped foot on
Nigerian soil, family sources said. Daily Sun gathered that Ringim’s
application for asylum is before the UK Border Agency.
past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, may be seeking asylum
in the United Kingdom, Daily Sun has learnt. Shortly after his sack on January
25, 2012, Ringim quietly relocated to the UK and has not stepped foot on
Nigerian soil, family sources said. Daily Sun gathered that Ringim’s
application for asylum is before the UK Border Agency.
The
former police chief’s request is reportedly anchored on fears that Islamic
militants, Boko Haram, may kill him should he return to Nigeria. Ringim
reportedly told the agency that his lucky escape in the June 2011 bombing of
the Force Headquarters in Abuja, by Boko Haram, a few days after he threatened
in Maiduguri, Borno State, to crush the group, fuelled fears he was a prime
target.
former police chief’s request is reportedly anchored on fears that Islamic
militants, Boko Haram, may kill him should he return to Nigeria. Ringim
reportedly told the agency that his lucky escape in the June 2011 bombing of
the Force Headquarters in Abuja, by Boko Haram, a few days after he threatened
in Maiduguri, Borno State, to crush the group, fuelled fears he was a prime
target.
The
ex-IGP was also said to have drawn the attention of the British officials to
the June 6, 2011 murder of his deputy in office, Alhaji Abubakar Ningi. Also
killed in the attack were Ningi’s police orderly and driver. Boko Haram claimed
responsibility for the killings. Sources said that he informed the British
agency that former military chiefs have not been spared by the Islamic
militants.
ex-IGP was also said to have drawn the attention of the British officials to
the June 6, 2011 murder of his deputy in office, Alhaji Abubakar Ningi. Also
killed in the attack were Ningi’s police orderly and driver. Boko Haram claimed
responsibility for the killings. Sources said that he informed the British
agency that former military chiefs have not been spared by the Islamic
militants.
He
reportedly cited the November 2012 murder of a civil war combatant, General
Mamman Shuwa. Ringim, under whose tenure the United Nations’ office in Abuja
was bombed, reportedly told the UK officials that returning to Nigeria was akin
to sending him to certain death.
reportedly cited the November 2012 murder of a civil war combatant, General
Mamman Shuwa. Ringim, under whose tenure the United Nations’ office in Abuja
was bombed, reportedly told the UK officials that returning to Nigeria was akin
to sending him to certain death.
Close
friends and associates of the former police boss told Daily Sun that Ringim was
happier living in the UK. “The sleepless nights Hafiz had because of Boko Haram
shot up his blood pressure. His health deteriorated so fast that some of us
were relieved the moment he was asked to go.
friends and associates of the former police boss told Daily Sun that Ringim was
happier living in the UK. “The sleepless nights Hafiz had because of Boko Haram
shot up his blood pressure. His health deteriorated so fast that some of us
were relieved the moment he was asked to go.
We
are in constant touch and he sounds happier and more relaxed,” a source
offered. Efforts to get the UK agency’s comment on Ringim, weren’t successful.
As at Press time, they had yet to respond to an email request on his reported
application for asylum.
are in constant touch and he sounds happier and more relaxed,” a source
offered. Efforts to get the UK agency’s comment on Ringim, weren’t successful.
As at Press time, they had yet to respond to an email request on his reported
application for asylum.
Source:
Sun
Sun
