The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, for alleged non-compliance with a directive by the lawmakers to arres
The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, 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 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.
