The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday met behind closed
doors with Inspector General of Police, Idris Abubakar, over the crisis between
the Nigeria Army and he Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in Abia State and
some parts of Rivers State.
The IGP told State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting which
lasted almost an hour, that the highlight of the meeting “is to obviously
ensure that our provision of security in the country is intact.”
Asked to be specific about strategies he was adopting as regards events in
the south east, the IGP said all critical stakeholders which include governors
were being engaged to find lasting peace.
“Obviously one is to deploy policemen across the country, two we are in touch
with the states government, trying to mobilize the political leadership to be
able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the south
east.”
Repeated clashes between Nigerian soldiers and IPOB agitators led by Nnamdi
Kanu, forced Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to declare a three-day dusk-to-dawn curfew
in the state.
The governor said the state will continue to subscribe to the supremacy of the
Nigerian Constitution and work with the federal government to forestall
seccessionist threats.
The governor also noted that the clash is directly linked to the deployment of
soldiers across South-East as part of the rejuvenated Operation Python Dance.
The
IGP described as nonsense, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State allegation that
the reported killing of an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS,
during a foiled kidnap operation on Monday at Oroazi area of the
state was a confirmation that his men were involved in armed robbery and
kidnapping.
Idris said, “He (Wike) has right to self expression. You know he is a
governor.”
Asked if he was not denying the allegation he replied, “Of course I have to
deny that, that is nonsense. I have to deny that.
“If a policeman was killed will you say he was involved in crime? I think you
are mixing two different issues. A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection
with this IPOB issue, is different from saying policemen are involved in crime.
You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in
crime.”
When reminded that the governor alleged that the dead policeman was one of the
three men that were suspected to be members of SARS who were attempting to
kidnap someone and he died in the process, the IGP replied, “Who is the person
they were attempting to kidnap?
“I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making
sweeping allegations obviously it does not make sense. I don’t want to comment
on it.”
Asked what preparation were on ground ahead of October 1st especially
with the tension in the land, he replied, “I don’t think there is tension in
the country. Which country this Nigeria? No. Nigeria does not have tension. At
least you are in Abuja you have gone around there is no tension.”
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