Southern, Middle Belt Leaders Demand IG’s Removal over Benue Killings

Leaders from Southern and the Middle Belt regions under the auspices of Southern and Middle Belt Forum have jointly condemned the unchecked killings that have gone on in Benue State and demanded the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IG), Ibrahim Idris.

Urging the presidency and all relevant security agencies to stop the carnage, the body in a statement jointly signed by Yinka Odumakin (South-west), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South-south), Prof Chigozie Ogbu (South-east) and Dr Isuwa  Dogo (Middle Belt), stressed that if not urgently addressed, the killings are capable of destablising the unity in the country.

They lambasted a statement credited to the IG after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa last Friday, where he was quoted to have said: “Obviously it is communal crisis, herdsmen are part of the community. They are Nigerians and are part of the community. Are they not?”

The leaders, who are particularly appalled by the level of killings that have gone on in the state in the last few days, were further displeased by the official indifference in condemning and going after the perpetuators of the deadly crimes.

“These killings threaten the fragile unity of this country and the official handling of the fall-outs are proving worse than the very sinister act itself.

“As things stand, the confidence of most sections of the county in the willingness of the federal government to protect them is badly shaken as the authority of the central government appears largely compromised,” the concerned Nigerians noted.

According to the forum, in order to restore faith in the government and prevent a resort to self-help in the face of existential threats from killers, government must take some actions.
“We demand the following: Immediate removal of the IG and his replacement for having failed to effect the law against murderers and justifying 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. We are further embarrassed that the IG, who ordinarily should have gone after these criminals, has been making excuses for the murderers; against the call of his duty.
“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 into security forces can cause.

“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 defeaning 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,” the leaders bemoaned.

They added: “We demand the immediate arrests of the killers and their sponsors. The federal government must disarm all herdsmen across the country immediately.
“An urgent commencement of the unbundling of the Police structure so that states must have their own police to enforce laws made by their Houses of Assembly.

“The president should address the country on these incidents and announce concrete measures to assure citizens that his government has not abdicated the primary responsibility of protecting lives and  property.
“The National Assembly should cut short its recess to address this national emergency,” they stated further.
The forum also called on all statesmen and leaders across the country to speak up on this national disaster as silence is sinful.