The House of Representatives has urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris Kpotum (IGP) to make an unreserved apology to the Benue state Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom after the derogatory statements made by Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr. Jimoh Moshood calling the governor “a drowning man” was discussed at the plenary. The House also urged the IGP to relieve its first PRO his position as penalty for the gravity of his utterances.
Presenting his motion on the floor of the House, Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC:Benue) recalled that the Senate had issued a 14 day ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to apprehend perpetrators of the Benue State massacre of 1st January 2018. Hon. Gbillah also recollected that the ultimatum was in response to the outcry by Nigerians and the indigenes of Benue State who had denounced the killings of 73 of their indigenes by suspected herdsmen in Guma and Logo local governments Areas.
Speaking further, the lawmaker said that recent media reports indicated that the IGP had blamed the recent killings in Benue State on a law passed by its State House of Assembly which prohibits the open grazing of cattle and had called for its suspension by the State government. He concluded his debate by calling on IGP to make an unreserved apology.
Hon. O.K Chinda (PDP: Rivers) also contributed to the motion by reflecting that peace and security could not be guaranteed where there is no justice and urged law enforcement agencies to ensure justice when enforcing the letters of the law.
