Fear Of Boko Haram Forces Ex-IGP Ringim To Seek Asylum In UK

Mr Hafiz Ringim, has applied to the United Kingdom government of for asylum. Ringim, who was disgraced from office shortly after a high profile terror suspect escaped from police custody under his leadership, is presently living in UK where he has been since his sack. His asylum application is said to be based on grounds of possible assassination by Boko Haram should he return to Nigeria anytime soon. Ringim, in his application, explained that he luckily escaped the June 2011 bomb attack on the Loius Edet House – Force Headquarters in Abuja by Boko Haram; a few days after he threatened in Maiduguri, Borno State, to crush the group, fuelling fears he was a prime target. The ex police boss was also said to have drawn the attention of the British officials to the June 6, 2011 murder of his deputy in office, Alhaji Abubakar Ningi. Also killed in the attack for which Boko Haram claimed responsibility, were Ningi’s police orderly and driver. He also cited the assassination in November 2012, of a civil war combatant, General Mamman Shuwa in Maiduguri by the radical Islamist sect as well as bombing of the United Nations’ office in Abuja under his tenure as indication that returning to Nigeria was akin to sending him to his death.