The panel set up by the Defence Headquarters to investigate the killing of three police officers and a civilian in Taraba by soldiers last week visited Governor Darius Ishaku on Wednesday.
The panel led by Rear Admiral I.T. Olaiya arrived at the Taraba Government House at about 1.50pm and proceeded to the Governor’s office.
Governor Darius Ishaku, who received the panel at about 1.49pm, requested journalists to vacate the venue of the meeting.
But a source in the meeting told The PUNCH correspondents that Olaiya told the governor that the seven-man panel was in the state to investigate the unfortunate killing of the police officers and a civilian in the state.
The police source added that Ishaku urged the panel to do a good job as Nigerians were watching with keen interest the outcome of investigation.
Meanwhile, parents and relations of the fleeing kidnap kingpin, Wadume, have fled their homes in Ibi.
Wadume’s house in Ibi and the place he was picked up by the police had been deserted.
Residents of the area told The PUNCH correspondents that the fear of arrest had made the suspected kidnapper’s parents and relations to flee his house.
“We are shocked to discover that Bala Hamisu Wadume is a criminal. He used to sell fish here and all of a sudden he became so rich that he could buy cars and built houses for people.
“Wadume is a gentle and kind-hearted person who doesn’t want to see people suffer. I am indeed taken aback about the revelations about him, But his people have deserted the house since the news broke out, “one of the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told one of our correspondents.
Another resident, Musa Maijama’a, said the suspected kidnapper had over 12 mini buses and five speed boats he was using to ferry people across the River Benue in Ibi.
A police source said two of the buses seized from his house were in custody of the police in Jalingo while five were impounded in Ibi.
“We are trailing the remaining buses and hopefully we will get them all. The panel investigating the case has arrived but that won’t stop us from going on with our investigations.”
The seven-man panel which is expected to be in Taraba for three days is expected to visit Ibi on Thursday (today) to interact with relevant sources for on an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
_____
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2019 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant source.
