Southern leaders urge President Buhari to sack IGP Idris
- The Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMB) leaders call on President Buhari to address Nigerians over the continued attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen in the country
- The group says it is embarrassed that the police IG is making excuses for the killer-herdsmen
- President Buhari orders IGP Ibrahim Idris to relocate to Benue state
The Southern and Middle Belt Forum (SMB) leaders have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to the sack the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, for failing to stop the continued attacks by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen on the people of Benue state.
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The forum also urged the president to address the nation over the attacks and proffer solutions to reassure the citizens that his administration was in control of the situation, The Tribune reports.
“Southern and Middle Belt Forum leaders are appalled by the level of killings that have gone on in Benue State in the last few days and the seeming official indifference in condemning and going after the perpetrators of the deadly crimes.
“We have seen images of horror and wanton killings perpetrated by killer herdsmen who went on a killing spree and are now granting press conferences justifying why they carried out such a barbaric act,” the forum said.
The group said it was embarrassed that the police IG was making excuses for the killer-herdsmen.
It said: "The IGP after meeting with President Buhari at the Villa, last Friday, made highly insensitive remarks: ‘Obviously it is a communal crisis; herdsmen are part of the community. They are Nigerians and are part of the community. Are they not?'”
“We consider the above remarks highly unbecoming of the no. 1 cop in Nigeria who should enforce the law against murderers. And it has shown clearly what the lopsided appointments to security forces can cause.
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“A multi-ethnic society requires a reflection of its plurality in the leadership of its security apparatus so that the type of balance required can be provided at all times. We must also express our reservations about the defeating silence by the President about these killings; as we are yet to hear a word directly from him over these cold-blooded murders, which many have seen as reprisals over the outlawing of open-grazing of cattle in Benue State."
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to relocate to Benue state following the killings of persons in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state by suspected herdsmen.
The police spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement made available to Legit.ng said the president gave the order on Monday night, January 8.
According to Moshood, the presidential directives, specifically mandated the IGP to as a matter of urgency, restore law and order, prevent further loss of lives and forestall the crisis from escalating and spreading in the state.
He said in compliance with the directives, the IGP was moving into Benue state with additional five units of police mobile force.
Southern Kaduna killings: part 1 on Legit.ng TV:
Source: Legit.ng
