The Senate has challenged
the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to not seek to confuse issues or play on the intelligence of members of the public with his diversionary statement or claims, following his refusal to comply with the Senate’s invitation.
The Senate had invited the IGP three
times to come and explain the spate of killings across the country but he
failed to appear before the lawmakers, rather sent a DIG to represent him.
A statement on Thursday by the Senate’s
Spokesman, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said the crux of the matter that informed the
invitation is the ceaseless spate of killings across the country and that
matters concerning the arrest of Senator Melaye has in fact been overtaken by
events.
“We noted the response issued by one
Jimoh Moshood on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris
following yesterday’s resolution of the legislative chamber on the continued
refusal of the IGP to honour the invitation for him to come and explain what
the police are doing to halt the spate of killings across the country.
“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 court is 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 the 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 an explanation to the arm of government which is constitutionally
empowered to ask questions and investigate the breach.
“No responsible body of representatives
of the people will ignore sad reports given by members on the floor of the
Senate.
“For instance, on April 24, 2 Catholic
priests 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 a few instances of daily
occurrences of the 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.
“Mr. Idris should not seek to confuse
issues or play on the intelligence of members of the public with his
diversionary statement or claims.
The resolution of the Senate leading to
his invitation is clear and we invite our people to check. It is for the
purpose of having a transparent and open hearing that we fixed his appearance
for Wednesday when our plenary sitting enjoys the live coverage on national
television.
“In one instance in the past, Mr. Idris
had gone to court in order to evade honouring the invitation of the Senate and
the court headed by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed of the FCT High Court on April
10, 2018, told him in clear terms that his suit lacked merit as Sections 88 and
89 of the constitution empower the lawmakers to carry out investigations on
issues of public interest.
“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 for the performance of the duties of his organization”,
Abdullahi stated.
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