We Invited You Over Insecurity, Senate Replies IGP

The Senate has said that the reason for the invitation of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Idris Ibrahim was due to the insecurity across Nigeria.

In a statement issued by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Senate said the issue of Mr Melaye’s arrest which was part of why Mr Idris was invited had been overtaken by events. Senator Aliyu said the Senate main concern for the invitation of the IGP is the security crisis across the country where people are being killed in scores on daily basis.

The statement reads :

“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 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,” the statement reads.

The Senate once again reemphasised the stance that Mr Idris, the IGP, is not fit to hold public office in Nigeria or abroad.

“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 statement added.