IG of Police, Solomon Arase Makes Strong Promise about the Agatu Massacre in Benue

 

The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, vowed, yesterday, that no hoodlum or group of people will overrun the country or illegally occupy any part of it under his watch as the chief police officer.

Arase made this vow while answering questions from lawmakers at a public hearing on the “influx of herdsmen to Benue State and the clashes among Tiv, Agatu communities and Fulani herdsmen” put together by the House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs.

He further explained that the force prioritised the protection of lives and properties of Nigerian communities, adding that “every life lost diminishes humanity as a whole.”

Arase said: “I have taken an oath to effectively police and protect every security space in Nigeria and I will continue to do that within the ambit of the law and to the best of my ability and that of my officers and men. And I make bold to say that the Nigerian state cannot be overrun by hoodlums; I can assure you.”

Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Mr. Benson Abonu, told the committee: “There appears to be a systematic move to annihilate the people of Benue State to establish a kingdom or some kind of rulership.

“It has taken a national dimension. They want to weaken Benue, and then cross over to other parts of the country. Right now, they have their presence in Kogi, they have attacked Ekiti, Oyo and still counting. We have made this known to the Army and other security agencies.”

In their presentation earlier on Wednesday, the Tiv communities, led by President General, Mr. Edward Ujege, recommended that N100 billion compensation be paid to assuage the loss of lives and properties as well as total eviction of herdsmen.

On the way forward, the Tiv communities said: “Ranching, as the only way out of this crises, should be established and run by individuals.