A Civil Society Organisation, the Sanctity Transparency Peace Initiative, has alleged that the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris has been flouting the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari asking the former to relocate to Benue to stem the tide of killings in the state.
The group also called on the police boss to come clean on the alleged complicity of the police and its alleged negligence which it said had worsened the herdsmen crisis across the country.
In a Communique issued after its emergency meeting in Abuja on Friday, in Abuja and signed by its National Coordinator, Sunday Alakho, the group condemned what it described as the deteriorating security situation in the country, particularly in Benue State.
It also condemned the “less than a salutary role of the Inspector General of Police since the killings by suspected herdsmen began on New Year’s Day in Benue State.”
Alakho accused the IGP of flouting the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to relocate to Benue State and also rated the intervention of the police as a monumental failure because according to him, “ the killings have continued unabated”.
He also expressed the group’s deep concern over remarks credited to the IGP that the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law was responsible for the killings.
Faulting the IGP’s claim, the group asked whether the same law was responsible for the herdsmen mayhem in Plateau, Zamfara, Edo, Ogun, Kaduna and Oyo States where such laws do not exist.
Stretching its argument of bias against the IGP, the group maintained that the complicity of the police was confirmed by the reference to Governor Ortom as a “drowning man” by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Jimoh Moshood.
Alakho demanded a full public explanation from the police authorities on what it meant by branding a governor as a “drowning man”.
He urged Nigerians not to take this characterisation lightly as it could be interpreted to mean the safety of the governor was being endangered.
While demanding for the immediate arrest of leaders of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore which it accused of masterminding the killings due to earlier threats, it expressed concern the safety of people of Benue and Governor Samuel Ortom.
The statement further read in part:”We cannot end this statement by not highlighting some questions the IG must answer.
“Why has he flouted the President’s directive to relocate to Benue? Why have the criminals who slaughtered 73 innocent persons not been arrested till date?.
“Why are leaders of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore who threatened to unleash mayhem on the state allowed to walk free without any questions by the police?.
“Why has the IGP turned himself into a lawmaker, directing a repeal of a valid law instead of a law enforcer?.
“Why are more indigenes flocking into IDP camps in spite of supposed police reinforcements. Why are their homes and farms still under occupation by armed herdsmen?
“What is the crime of the Benue State Governor? Is he being hounded for warning about these attacks in advance? Is he expected to stand by idly and watch his people killed without raising a cry?”
He further enjoined the IGP to impartially execute the presidential mandate by ensuring the safe return of villagers who have been flocking to IDP camps to their homes and to ensure the safety of their communities.