Ex-IGP, Ibrahim Coomassie, escapes assassination attempt

• Policeman killed, another injured in gun duel
• Masari, ACF condemn incident, urge justice

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Ibrahim Coomassie, escaped an assassination attempt at his residence in Katsina at the weekend.

Commassie, who is also the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), had his guard killed and another seriously injured by the gunmen that equally carted away the rifle of the fallen cop.

However, the police command has cordoned off entry and exit points into the state with a view to apprehending the perpetrators of the Saturday night attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Besen Gwana, at a press conference yesterday in Katsina, said the measure was in addition to other strategies already in place to get the two suspects arrested as quickly as possible.

He gave name of the late officer as Sergeant Musa Ibrahim while Corporal Shitu Maikudi, injured in the leg, was receiving treatment at the General hospital, Katsina.

He said for the gallantry of the policemen, the assailants would have gained entry into the house and wreaked havoc.

The police commissioner, however, confirmed that the former IGP was at home when the incident occurred, adding that the force got information of the attack at 8:00 p.m. and immediately swung into action, leading to the foiling of the operation.

He said: “Two armed hoodlums, riding on a motorbike attacked mobile policemen posted on guard duty at the residence of former IGP, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie GCON, NPM, mni, the Sardaunan Katsina and Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum.

“The hoodlums met a stiff resistance from the mobile policemen who prevented them from gaining access into the residence.” Also yesterday, Governor Aminu Bello Masari and the ACF condemned the incident.

In a statement by his media aide, Abdu Labaran, the governor described the attack as “dastardly, callous and cowardly”, vowing that “all those behind this would be fished out and punished accordingly.”

He regretted that an elder statesman, who has served and is still serving the nation with distinction, could be a target of evil minds.

The governor charged the security agencies to spare no effort in flushing out the perpetrators of the heinous crime and their sponsors, assuring the people that any accomplice would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

He reiterated his administration’s zero tolerance for violence and breach of the peace. The ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji. Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, expressed shock and disbelief over the incident.

It reads: “ACF condemns the dastardly act of the assailants and calls on the security agencies to mount a serious manhunt for the perpetrators of this heinous crime in order to bring them to justice.”

The forum condoled with the family of the slain policeman over the loss.