By Williams Anuku, Abuja
Contrary to claims that rampaging herdsmen masterminded the killing of over 20 persons in Benue state in the early hours of January 2, 2018, Ibrahim Idris ,the Inspector General of Police, has written it off as mere communal crisis.
He said there was need for harmonious living among Nigerians, just as he disclosed that an approval has been given by the presidency to deploy more police personnel to the troubled states especially Benue and Nasarawa.
Idris who was at the Presidential Villa on Friday, to brief the President, Muhammadu Buhari on security situation in the country, also dismissed insinuations that the police was overwhelmed in tackling security challenges in the country.
Hell was let loose on January 2 when herdsmen allegedly opened fire on residents in Akor Village in Guma Local Government Area of the state, leaving in its trail over 20 persons,including a pregnant woman dead.
Although an anti -grazing Act exists in Benue, the attack was reported to have been carried out on the farming community by herdsmen.
According to the IG, Nigeria is well policed.
The IG said, “You know any time we meet Mr. President you know the area of discussion is how to have effective security for the nation.
“You know I deployed my DIG there yesterday and you know we have different stages of police, you have the AIG in Benue, Commissioner of Police in Benue and all of them are putting their heads together to see how we address this issue of community problems in Benue.
“Like I said, you know we have different levels of Police in this country. We have the Commissioner of Police in Benue, the AIG of Police in Benue, and yesterday I deployed my DIG operations there and definitely we are doing all we can to see we maintain law and order in all parts of the country.
“Let’s use the example of Benue, you know most of these states where you have several languages, you know is an issue of communal misunderstanding. I think what we should be praying for is for Nigerians to learn to live in peace with each other, I think is very important.
“There are so many measures. For instance in Benue we are going to deploy more units to support the efforts the Police is making in the state to ensure we have adequate protection to the men and communities and members”.
Asked if he is sure Nigeria is well policed with breakdown of law and order in different parts of the country at the same time, Rivers, Benue, Kaduna, Idris said, “obviously, I think Nigeria is well secured”
Also asked if the country is under-policed? he said, “I cannot say Nigeria is under-policed or overwhelmed.
He gave assurance that the Benue incident will not repeat itself again going by new measures put on ground to tighten security.
