Police IG ‘Not Fit To Remain In Office’ – Senate Spokesman

Spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has deemed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, unfit to hold the position he occupies.

This, Senator Abdullahi said, is because IGP Idris has allegedly placed himself above the Senate as an arm of the Nigerian government.

“Any public officer who plans to place himself above an arm of government obviously is not fit to remain in office. Mr. Idris is only afraid of his shadows by alleging witch-hunt when he is called to account on the performance of the duties of his organization,” the Senate spokesperson said in a statement.

Senator Abdullahi, who was reacting to Mr Idris’ refusal to appear before the Senate, said the Police chief is “simply holding on to straw” by reducing his summon by the Senate to a witch-hunt.

He said the Police IG is only “afraid of his shadows”, else he wouldn’t be scared of appearing before the upper legislative chamber to address issues raised by the Senate on the security challenges facing the country.

Senator Abdullahi said, “Let it be known that the IGP by trying to reduce the reason for his invitation by the senate to the arrest of Sen. Dino Melaye is simply holding on to straw. The issue of Sen. Melaye’s arrest has been overtaken by events.

“The courts are already handling the related cases. Our main concern is the security crisis across the country where people are being killed in scores on daily basis. The primary responsibility of the police is maintenance of law and order as well as protection of lives and property.

“If there is a breach along the line of this responsibility, we do not see why the IGP should feel he cannot be invited to offer explanation to the arm of government which is constitutionally empowered to ask questions and investigate the breach.

“No responsible body of representives of the people will ignore sad reports given by members on the floor of the senate. For instance, on April 24, two Catholic priests and and 17 members of their congregation were murdered as reported by senator George Akume.

“Also, senators Kabir Marafa and Tijani Kaura had earlier intimated the senate of the killing of 35 people in Maradun LGA, over 100 people killed in Anka and 36 people killed in Birani village in Zurmi LGA, all in Zamfara state. Even as at now, reports reaching us showed that recent killings have occurred in Kaduna, Taraba and Benue states.

“These were just few instances of daily occurrences of gruesome murder of our constituents as raised by senators. The IGP definitely should not have any problem with an invitation for him to tell the Senate what he and his men are doing to stop the killings as well as their challenges and needs in doing this,” he said.