THE recent escape of Kabiru Sokoto from the custody of the Police is not just an example of abject collapse of security and law enforcement in the country; it signifies the complete failure of the Police in its duty of safeguarding lives and property. Public security sadly has been tottering from bad to worse, andthe Nigeria Police, with the primary responsibility of securing the citizens has repeatedly failed in carrying out this vital duty.Sokoto's escape is more irritating because of the prospect his captivity offered for resolving the crisis of Boko Haram's insurgency, which has proved intractable for the police and indeed the nation's entire security structure. In particular Sokoto was said to be a mastermind, or one of the masterminds of the dastardly Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, in which at least 44 people were killed and about 50 others injured.By his escape, the Police frittered away a good chance to redeem its image of crass inefficiency, apart from seemingly confirming suspicion that the Boko Haram has infiltrated the police machinery. Consider that no murderers of Nigerians, whether high profile or otherwise, have ever been brought to justice since the return of civilian rule in 1999. Even the murder, at his house, of a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice of Nigeria in the presence of members of his family more than 10 years ago remains unsolved.Similarly, the case of a gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State who was murdered in daylight in his bedroom has remained an unsolved mystery since July 2006. It is as if Nigerians have been left to save themselves as the police lacking in capacity or motivation often abandon victims to their fate.The activities of Boko Haram, a militant Islamic sect, have brought sorrow to many Nigerians in a country suffering from multiple ailments. Other than a wish for Sharia and a hatred for law enforcement agencies, their motives remain unknown, but their killings have been indiscriminate against both Christians and Moslems alike. The Boko Haram had carried out sporadic deadly attacks in Borno and Yobe states, bombed police headquarters and killed scores at the United Nations Building in Abuja. Their attack on the church just outside of Abuja on Christmas day was most startling.This bombing has been condemned by the international community including the United Nations and the Pope. But worse was to come with the Kano bombings a few days ago in which multiple coordinated attacks left some 200 persons dead.Following from the Christmas day bombings, Nigerians were relieved to learn that the mastermind and coordinator of the massacre, Kabiru Sokoto, had been arrested in ' of all places ' the Borno State Governor's Lodge in Abuja. His very presence in a government premises in the company of a serving military officer opened another interesting line of enquiry, which should not be scuttled. Kabiru Sokoto was arrested by the Nigeria police and handed over to a Commissioner of Police, Zakari Biu. Whilst in police custody, it was alleged that a squad of five policemen in furtherance of their investigations were travelling with the suspect to his home when they were attacked by unknown persons who freed Kabiru Sokoto. A N50 million bounty has been placed on his head and Biu, the Commissioner of Police, suspended.This singular act of omission has cast the Nigeria police in bad light. Commissioner Biu who should have been relieved of his post after being indicted for various acts by the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Panel was nevertheless retained in the Nigeria Police where he rose to become a Commissioner of Police. A man enmeshed in so much controversy should not have been entrusted with heavy state security.For allowing such a major security breach to occur, Sokoto's escape fully justifies serious disciplinary action on the chain of command beginning with Commissioner Biu. It is noteworthy that the Inspector General Hafiz Ringim has already been removed. The supervising minister is no less culpable, and he ought to tender his resignation.One of this country's shortcomings is that high officials do not accept responsibility when things go drastically wrong on their watch. Nigerians should imbibe a culture of accountability not only to reward high performance when merited, but to sanction appropriately those with lacklustre performance.President Jonathan should use the opportunity offered by this incident to sanitise his security apparatus and reassure Nigerians that he remains the chief security officer of Nigeria.
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