Posted by By Emmanuel Aziken on
THE Minister of Special Duties, Col. Musa Mohammed (rtd.), has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he alleged was a recurring plot to assassinate him orchestrated by Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State.
ABUJA - THE Minister of Special Duties, Col. Musa Mohammed (rtd.), has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what he alleged was a recurring plot to assassinate him orchestrated by Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State. The minister also accused the governor of fomenting a general state of insecurity in Gombe State through a militia group he claimed was funded by the governor for the oppression of political opponents.
But the governor through his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Muhammed Ahmed, dismissed the minister's petition as a lie, saying the minister imported the thugs.
The minister in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police dated December 29, 2005 alleged that the most recent attack against him happened during a chance meeting between him and the governor at a wedding in Nafda town in Gombe State on December 24, 2005. Noting the reported assault on the late Chief Bola Ige at the palace of the Ooni of Ife before his assassination, Col. Mohammed prayed the Inspector-General to wade in immediately before further unpleasant development ensure.
Both Col. Mohammed and the governor are chieftains of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Gombe State and have been reportedly involved in a long drawn power tussle for political supremacy in the state.
The letter to the Police boss reads:'The Inspector-General may recall that on several occasions, I reported attempts on my life by the militia force organised, supported and funded by Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State.
‘On sensing the imminent danger facing me, I informed the Inspector-General of my intention to travel home during the Christmas break stating the likelihood of such an attack on my person.
'My prediction came to pass on 24th December, 2005 at Nafda town at the palace of the Senior District Head, Alhaji Daduma Hamza when I went for the wedding fatiha of the daughter of my close associate, Muhammed Hamza. The Governor arrived the venue over one hour late and as soon as he arrived, he directed that I, Col. Musa Mohammed (rtd.) the Minister representing Gombe State should leave the sitting room, where he was going to sit, to another room, as he was not ready to sit with me under the same roof.
'The message was delivered by no less a person than the Deputy Chairman of the local government of Nafda under the watchful eyes and amazement of distinguished invitees. I thought it was a joke and of course, I did not go anywhere. After about 30 minutes, he came in and we shook hands. As soon as he was seated, these same militia boys that he has been using to harass perceived opponents forced themselves into the room and pounced on me, saying that they must kill me, brandishing knives, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
The police and the SSS attached to me quickly surrounded me, but they kept on pushing. In an attempt to gain entry, they broke the glass of the window as well as bottles of beer they came along with.
Ambassador Yerima Abdullahi, Alhaji Gambo Magaji, the Secretary of ANPP Board of Trustees, Alhaji Umar Musa Abubakar, the retired Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications, the deposed Emir of Yamaltu, Dan Amar of Gombe, Alhaji Ahmadu Ganga, Mallam Ibrahim Salama, a senior officer of SSS, Abuja, FCT Command, were all physically there and amazed at what was happening.
After this harassment and assault and threat to my life, I reported the mater to the Commissioner of Police,Gombe State and to my amazement, no arrest has been made not even to talk of prosecution of the vandals: a. Cooler b. Sani Baba (Sakali) c. Jonga d. Rocky e. Sanni Umar f. Uban Bala g. Ahmadu Kato h. Haruna Turaki i. Bala Soja j. B. Palour k. Musa PA l. Ayuba Fari
'I wish to kindly request that you investigate this matter thoroughly and effect the arrest and prosecution of the culprits.
The Inspector-General is invited to note that there is general insecurity in Gombe State and people are living in perpetual fear of this terrorist militia group, popularly known as Yan Kalare organised, supported and funded by Governor Danjuma Goje.
'I wish to urge you to proscribe this terrorist militia group,Yan Kalare, that have constituted themselves into a security nuisance just like the Bakassi Boys.
'In view of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to take urgent action to protect my life and others in order to forestall unpleasant consequences as witnessed in the case of the late Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, who was publicly assaulted at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, before he was subsequently murdered.
'Please accept the assurances of my best regards."