Maiduguri-The Borno Police Command says it has launched a search for an assassination list believed to have been drawn up by Boko Haram sect in the state.

Mr Mike Zuokumor, the state Police Commissioner, speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), yesterday , said  the police command was worried about the killings.

NAN reports that dozens of persons have been killed by suspected Boko Haram militants since July 2009.

The militants launched attacks on individuals they believed played active roles in quelling the 2008 Yusufiyya uprising in Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

“There are systematic killings going on in the state and the police command is worried about it. It is really a source of concern to us.

“We hear that the killers have drawn a list of persons they intend to kill. The police are searching for that list so that the killings will stop,” Zuokumor said.

He explained that the objective was to build security around potential victims once the list was found.

“If we are able to find the list, then the police will be able to provide security around
the would-be victims to forestall any attack on them.

“I believe this will stop the killings for some time before a final solution is found,” Zuokumor said.

The commissioner denied the allegation that the police were partial during last Saturday’s National Assembly election in the state.

“I think that the police deserve commendation for the role they played in the peaceful conduct of the elections.

“The police performed creditably by providing the enabling environment for voters to exercise their constitutional rights.

“I want to say without any fear of contradiction that the police did everything possible to ensure absolute security at all polling units,” Zuokumor said.

He added that it was in recognition of the role the police played during the election that PDP youths decided to praise them.

“Even the jubilant youths, who went round the city celebrating the PDP victory
on Monday, hailed the police for a job well-done.

“The police really deserve commendation. We went out to create a peaceful environment for the polls.

“Some police officers lost their lives, while others were maimed but they were not deterred,” Zuokumor said.