FG directs nationwide deployment of policemen

chika ebuzor

September 14, 2017 5:41 PM

Idris told State House Correspondents that the police was adopting a three-pronged approach to resolve the crisis.

The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the outbreak of violence in some parts of Abia.

After the briefing, Idris told State House Correspondents that the police was adopting a three-pronged approach to resolve the crisis.

“The strategy we are using is to ensure that we deploy policemen throughout the country.

“Secondly, we are in touch with the government.

“We are trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary in how to reduce the tension that is already taking place in the South East.’’

On the allegation by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers that the police is behind criminal activities in the state, the I-G said that Wike was expressing a personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

He, however, said police did not have to deny the governor’s allegation that crimes were perpetrated in the state by its operatives (SARS).

Idris explained that the display of a corpse purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the said policeman was involved in the crime.

“That a Policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime.

“You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime,’’ he stated.

He described the governor’s comment as a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense to me’’.

ALSO READ: Army says "Operation Python Dance" not targeted at Nnamdi Kanu

While reacting to the Oct. 1 quit notice given to some Nigerians to leave some parts of the country, the I-G said there was no cause for alarm.

“I don’t think there is tension in the country; there is no tension here,’’ he said.

chika ebuzor