By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Senate on Wednesday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear before it to explain why he has failed to comply with its dirctives to apprehend the masterminders of Benue killings.
Sundiata Post recalls that following the killing of over 72 innocent persons in Benue and the wide condemnation that trailed the unfortunate incident, Senate on the 16th of January, gave the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, 14 days ultimatum to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.
While reminding his colleagues of the ultimatum given by the Senate, the All Progresives Congress Senator from Gombe State, Senator Joshua Lidani informed his colleagues that the IGP Ibrahim Idris is yet to act in compliance with the order to apprehend the killers as directed by the Senate.
According to Senator Lidani, “The Senate clearly resolved that the Inspector-General of Police be given two weeks to identify and arrest all those who perpetrated the killings of the more than 72 persons in Benue State.
He reminded that the resolution was passed and duly transmitted to the IGP but to the best of his knowledge, that no arrest has been made and the senate has not been communicated to, in form of feedback in this regard.
Senate President therefore mandated the Senate Committees on Police and Intelligence to “summon the IG to appear before it tomorrow to give explanations on where we are on this two weeks ultimatum. Adding that the two committees should report back to the Senate by next Tuesday.
Saraki re-echoed that If by Tuesday we are not happy with their report we can take a decision to summon the IG. We are not going to sweep this matter under the carpet and we are not going to stop until people are made to account for their responsibilities.
He reminded that President buhari in his letter told the IG to ensure speedy prosecution and that they are yet to see that happen. Adding that the IG knows that he needs to take this seriously.”
Sundiata Post further recalls that while giving the 14- days ultimatum to the IGP earlier, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki had said:
“We want to see immediate action.
“One point raised here today is the issue of justice. Without justice we cannot see unity and that justice stands as one of our recommendations.
“In the next 14 days, the Inspector General of Police must find the perpetrators, arrest them, and the Attorney General of Benue State must prosecute them. That is minimum requirement and it must happen.
“Our resolution is that some of our discussions here need to be conveyed to Mr. President. We appreciate his actions for calling us and giving us a brief on what has happened. Hence, we owe it to him to tell him what we have discussed and the seriousness with which we have taken the issue. It is a wake-up call for him and it is a wake-up call for us. It is a wakeup call for this government. We must address the issue of security. We cannot continue to allow this violence to keep going on from one state to another.”
“The President must act in this area, and those responsible for this must be held accountable. There must also be long term solutions. Part of this long term solution is that the members of the committee on security must objectively look into this.
“The military cannot be the solution all the time. This is because sometimes the military is overstretched and that has its own impact and problem. ““In this regard, we are hoping that the committee urgently comes up with the recommendation to us on what we need to do we need to do to strengthen the police, apart from more man-power. Is it community policing? Is it state policing? We need to know.“
“Something must be done in this area, but more importantly we have condemned these killings but actions must begin to happen for us to re-assure Nigerians.