Posted by JOHN ALECHENU on
A man Jibrin Tasiu Zagge (30), who claimed to be involved in the killing of Hajiya Sa'adatu Rimi, the wife of the fiery politician, Abubakar Rimi, showed up at Rimi's Durbin Katsina residence, Kano, on Saturday.
A man Jibrin Tasiu Zagge (30), who claimed to be involved in the killing of Hajiya Sa'adatu Rimi, the wife of the fiery politician, Abubakar Rimi, showed up at Rimi's Durbin Katsina residence, Kano, on Saturday.
Sunday Punch gathered that Zagge went to the residence around 10.30 am., seeking an audience with the head of the household. He was, however, directed to a policeman on guard duty. He then told the policeman that he had a confession to make.
The policeman, who did not want his name in print said, 'The man said he was part of the gang that committed the crime.
'He confessed that his conscience has been disturbing him, that he has been unable to sleep since the incident. I further questioned him to know whether he was alright, he appeared alright to me; so, I took the matter up, and the suspect is in Bompai (police headquarters)."
Rimi was said to have gone to the police headquarters to see things for himself.
When contacted, the state police command Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Baba Mohammed, said 'The whole murder investigation is in the hands of the investigating team from Force Headquarters. I am sorry; I don't have any information regarding the issue."
The head of the investigating team, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ogbona Onovo, was unavailable for comments. He was said to be out of town on an official assignment.
Meanwhile, sympathisers continued to pay condolence visits to Rimi's house. Prominent among those who visited on Saturday included: Senator Isaiah Balat, former Minister for Aviation, Alhaji Isa Yuguda and wife to the Zamfara State governor, Dr. Karima Ahmed Sani.
In another development, top politicians in Kano state have adopted extra-personal security measures around themselves and members of their families following last Saturday's gruesome murder of Sa'adatu.
Sunday Punch findings last Friday revealed that politicians, who hitherto easily threw the doors to their houses open to visitors, have been forced to have a rethink.
There was still security beef-up at the Durbin Katsina residence of Rimi as at press time on Saturday.
A police patrol vehicle and more than a dozen anti-riot policemen were seen in and around the house, while the bereaved was receiving visitors.
Sources said that a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ghali Na'Abba was also not taking his security lightly.
He now appears in public with heavily built men believed to be members of a private security outfit.
Private security men, who were said to be from Niger Republic, are guarding his houses located at Sharada and Tukur Road.
Both houses are heavily fortified with high walls and steel panel gates. Entrance into both houses requires clearance from the former speaker.
A member, representing Fagge Federal constituency, in the House of Representatives, Alhaji Danlami Hamza, also enjoys the services of private security guards, even though his house, located in Fagge, still plays host to his constituents and political associates.
The Kano State Government House is not left out in the general security build-up. Heavily armed anti-riot policemen also have a vehicle stationed outside the perimeter fencing.
This is apart from a detachment of regular policemen stationed within the seat of power.
However, there was a partial reduction in the number of policemen available for executive private use because of the state congress of the ruling All Nigeria Peoples Party {ANPP}, held in the state on Saturday.
But the State Police Command Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, has assured residents, of the city of the command's readiness to protect lives and property.
Already, policemen on traffic duty have been directed to work till 8 pm instead of the former 6 pm to decongest the roads. Other measures, according to him, would be made public soon.
Meanwhile, there are indications that all the suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Hajiya Sa'adatu Rimi are to be moved to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Feelers from the State Police Command Headquarters showed that more suspects might have been picked up by detectives investigating the case.
As at press time, a former member of the House of Representatives, two traditional title holders, including a prince and some politicians, have been quizzed in connection with the incident.
SUNDAY PUNCH, January 22, 2006