IG meets Osinbajo over Rivers State crisis

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday over the ongoing crisis in Abia State and some parts of Rivers State.

The IG also frowned at the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for claiming that men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad were among kidnappers and armed robbers in the state.

Speaking to State House Correspondents at the end of the meeting which lasted almost an hour, the IG said the aim of the meeting was to ensure the security of all Nigerians.

Asked to be specific about strategies he was adopting as regards events in the South-East, he said, “Obviously, one is to deploy policemen across the country; two, we are in touch with the state government, trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South-East.”

The police boss also described as nonsensical Wike’s allegation that the reported killing of a SARS officer  during a foiled kidnap operation on Monday in the Oroazi area of the state was a confirmation that his men were involved in armed robbery and kidnapping.

Idris said, “He (Wike) has the 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 nonsensical; 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 (State) 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.”

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )