*Church members say, the police were too hasty in their judgments
*Accuses him of planning to bomb church, kill worshippers
A middle-aged man, who was dressed in Al-Qaida hood and crossed the approved parking lot into the Arch-Angel Raphael Catholic Church, Police Barracks, Garai, Abuja, has been cleared by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command as a non-terrorist.
Bur the Garki residents and worshippers in the church have disagreed with the Police, saying the Command was hasty in their conclusions and that from every indication, the man has some sinister motives.
The man in question, who was hooded like a terrorist in the Middle-East, wore a face-cap with “Police” boldly written on it and covered his eyes with dark googles.
He also wore camouflage of wither the Military or Police, wore a Police T-shirt and behaved like a typical criminal, when the church officials eventually halted him after he initially drove his Peugeot 408 Salon car beyond the parking area into the church premises last Sunday.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Josephine Edeh, “a middle-aged man was accosted by some of the worshipers after the mass, while the Men’s Fellowship was holding a meeting.
“The main object of suspicion was his dressing and the manner in which he drove in.
“Preliminary investigation however shows he had just returned to the country and had come into the barracks to seek an old friend whose address he cannot clearly remember.
“The church was not attacked, no arm or prohibited item was recovered in his possession except for a face cap customized “Police “ which is neither an approved kit nor an accouterment in the Police dress order.
“He was also wearing a faded suspected US Army Fashion type camouflage trouser.
“Though fear and panic erupted due to recent happenings in some parts of the country, normalcy was immediately restored to the situation as the police were on ground to swing into action.
“While the investigation continues, members of the public are urged to go about their lawful duties without fear or apprehension.
“Once again, we advise the good people of the Territory to eschew the habit of promulgating news blown out of proportion or outrightly fake in narration.
“We shall continue to ensure that the FCT remains safe and peaceful for all and sundry”.
But the statement and the Police quickly dismissing their fears of terrorism and instructing them not to blow issues out of proportion did not go down well with both the Garai residents and worshippers at the Church.
A member of the Garki Chief’s Ruling Council while reacting, wondered why the police appeared to be in the defence of someone who has put fears into everybody. That fear alone is a crime.
“That the man, dressed the way he did, wore a Face Cap that the inscription “Police”, wore a camouflage, and crossed the parking area is enough proof of his sinister motives.
“I wonder why the Police should be making excuses for that kind of criminal element. What is the stuff that he returned from abroad? They now want us to fear people who travelled abroad?
“The police did not tell us his nationality, nor disclosed his identity. Or are they covering up something from us the stakeholders?
“Remember that it was in this same Garki Police Division about 15 years ago that we had the worst killing of innocent people by the Police, the Apo 6 traders matter?
“Was the man sent on the mission by some powerful men who have also used their influence to try to protect the man after his mission failed?
“I really don’t know what the PPRO is saying. It lacks logic and is really an insult on our sensibilities”.
Another Church member who claimed she was there when it all happened, Mrs. Jane Ayuba said: “The man had refused to stop when he crossed the barrier and people were shouting at him to stop. His behaviour, mode of dressing and how he failed to properly identify a so-called friend shows clearly he is a criminal.
“The Police should not cover him up. As they are doing now, that is why people of the other faith don’t listen to them of they suspect anybody or label anyone of blasphemy, but to instantly kill such a person.
“Is it because we are mature and civil they want to play on our intelligence? Haha, oga, the man is a terrorist, but his mission to bomb this Church failed by the grace of God”.
Another parishioner, Paul Ilyasu said he was shocked that such an incident could happen in a Police Barracks.
“None of the Policemen who were supposed to provide security noticed when the man drove past the security point. And they pretended they didn’t see him until parishioners started shouting and running helter-skelter. They were also not the ones that halted the man, neither were they the ones who first arrived to accost the man; we did, the police never did.
“Remember what happened in Ondo state, how terrorists entered a church, opened fire and killed several people? Up till today, that story is still pending. Nobody has conclusively arrested those terrorists. We only hear stories.
“I am please begging that our security agencies should be up to their assignments. There is no reason why what happened here in this church yesterday should have happened. Our security should focus on their assignment and stop looking the other way, which has become their priority now. It is too bad and terribly affecting our national security”.
The Chaplain of the Church, who is said to be a Police Officer, refused to comment on the incident.
Other church officials approached on the matter also refused to speak.
