Senate summons IGP over Benue killings, Kwankwaso

The Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, to appear before its committees on police and intelligence today to explain why he failed to comply with the two-week ultimatum issued him to identify and arrest the perpetrators of the New Year Day massacre in Guma and Logo council areas of Benue State.

Also, the Nigeria’s chief cop is to offer reasons why Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was barred by the Kano Commissioner of Police from visiting the state on security grounds.

The joint committee was directed to brief the whole chamber next Tuesday. But the deadline was said to have been duly transmitted to the police boss with no arrest made so far.

However, Senator Joshua Lidani (Gombe South) yesterday under Order 43 drew the attention of the chamber to the matter.

In his presentation, Lidani, irked by the lack of communication from the office of IGP regarding the resolution, urged the Senate President to compel the police chief to appear before the whole house for briefing.

The President of the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Bukola Saraki, besides granting approval added that where the IGP fails to make cogent explanations to the joint committee, he should subsequently be summoned to appear before the Senate.

He said: “We should be told the exact situation where we are. We must make it very clear to the security agencies that those kinds of ultimatums cannot be taken for granted. If by Tuesday we are not happy with the report submitted, we can then take a decision to summon the IGP.”

Also, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) intimated the chamber of the killing of persons and destruction of properties in his home state. He said the situation was getting worse by the day.

The lawmaker noted that kidnapping for ransom was on the increase, citing a recent case where an unnamed 19-year-old lady was abducted in her village on January 26,2018, a week to her wedding.