The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, for alleged non-compliance with a directive by the lawmakers to arrest and prosecute the suspected herdsmen who attacked communities in Benue State, killing 73 people. Idris was asked to appear before the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on Thursday (today) to explain why a resolution by the upper chamber of the National Assembly asking him to arrest and prosecute the suspects was not complied with.
The committee was asked to report to the Senate on Tuesday, when the chamber would deliberate on the next line of action. The Senate had, at the plenaries on January 16 and 17, 2018, debated killings by herdsmen and other armed groups across Nigeria. Part of the resolutions passed was for the police boss to arrest and prosecute the suspects within 14 days. The ultimatum expired on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Senator Joshua Lidani (Gombe-South) reminded the lawmakers that the ultimatum had expired and the IG had yet to prosecute any suspect. Lidani said, “You will recall that this Senate passed a resolution when it was considering the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Security which, among other things, visited Benue State regarding the killings that took place on or about January 1, 2018.
“The Senate clearly resolved that the Inspector-General of Police be given two weeks within which he should identify and arrest those who perpetrated the killings in Benue. “This resolution was passed and was transmitted to the IG but to the best of my knowledge, no arrest has been made and no information has been brought to the Senate as regards the resolution. “I therefore will like the Senate President, in line with this resolution, to compel the IG to appear before the Senate to explain why he has not complied with the resolution of the Senate.”
The President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, expressed displeasure with the police boss’ inaction. Saraki said, “I think the integrity of the institution must be taken seriously. I think the Senate Committees on Police (Affairs); and Intelligence should summon the IG to come by tomorrow (Thursday) to make an explanation on where we are on this two-week ultimatum. These two committees should report to us by Tuesday. “We must make it clear to security agencies that ultimatums cannot be taken lightly. If they think we are just going to sweep this thing under the carpet, the answer is definitely no.
“President Muhammadu Buhari said he told the IG to ensure speedy prosecution and we have yet to see that. The IG knows that he needs to take this seriously.” The Senate had on January 15 passed resolutions, including the ultimatum to Idris, when they adopted an interim report by the House Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of Security Infrastructure of Nigeria. Saraki had on the same day led the leadership of the chamber to Buhari to deliver the resolutions personally.
