By Aminu M. Shehu.
The sad event that occurred in Rano, Rano Local Government Area, Kano State, last weekend, caught the attention of the Citizens Free Service Forum (CFSF). Where the Divisional Police Officer of the Rano, Baba Ali Mohammed was severely injured in the mob action and died a few hours later.
The incidence will no doubt go down as one of the darkest days/moments in the history of policing in Kano and Nigeria at large. It’s indeed sad, very sad!
According to information acquired, a specific suspect was allegedly detained and then tortured to death which finally led to a massive violent protest that the police officers present were unable to contain. The result was slaughter and arson.
The mob action resulted in the death of Rano Police Divisional Police Officer Baba Ali Mohammed, who sustained severe injuries before giving the ghost.
According to the CFSF’s Executive Director, Comrade Sani Baba, his forum is of the view that this trend of Hobbesian extrajudicial killings must stop.
“Laws, rules and regulations are made and are meant for orderly conformative conduct in the society.
“Therefore, all Law Enforcement Agencies must abide by and operate within the ambit of the extant laws, rules and regulations.
“In the same vein, citizens must not only abide by the State laws, they are obligated to assist and accord the Law Enforcers with all the necessary assistance that may help in the execution of their mandate”.
“Enough of these perennial extra judicial killings, vandalization and arson from both sides of the divide. Sadly but factual, it’s gradually becoming a way of life in Nigeria”, says Comrade Sani Baba.
The CFSF is of the view that measures must be urgently taken in order to forestall and bring this madness to an end.
Comrade Sani Baba further warned that the government and the Police Authorities must put in place a proper Police-Community Relation Committees, made up of credible individuals, in every locality to avoid constant rifts that lead to mistrust and lack of respect for the Rule of Law in the society.
In the interim, we call on the government to urgently constitute a very powerful committee to investigate what happened in Rano last weekend, identify the exact remote and immediate causes, recommend sanctions and punitive measures against any culprits or whoever is behind it.
Finally, the CFSF wishes to condole and sympathise with families of the bereaved and the Nigerian Police Force for the loss of one of their fine officers.
“For those that sustained various degree of injuries, we say get well soon,” he added.