IGP Shuns Senate Again…As Armed DSS, Police Invade NASS

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By Nuel Suji – The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday failed to appear before the senate for the second time in one week, this is even as armed operatives of the Department of State Services stationed in the National Assembly premises.

Senate had resolved to summon IGP over alleged inhuman treatment of Senator Melaye and Killings across the country.

The IGP was expected to appear before the Red chamber last week, but he sent Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Joshak Habila to represent him.

Idris refusal to appear before the Senate forced the lawmakers to give till Wednesday to appear and give explanation on the issues on ground.

However, when the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki called for the appearance of the IGP, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police, Senator Abu Ibrahim told the lawmakers that he was unable to reach him, but he was later informed that he has traveled out of Abuja.

After the chairman, Senate Committee on Police response on the IGP, Saraki called the lawmakers to make their contributions on the matter, it took about sixty seconds before the Deputy leader, Senator Ibn Bala  Na’Allah expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of IGP before the Senate.

According to him, Under Section 88(1) of our Constitution and Section 89(C), it says that we have the power to summon anybody. The IGP is the only one that has the information that the Senate wants. The Senate should look at the IG of Police and the person occupying that Office.

He added, “Last time we invited him, he approached a court. If after sending the DIG to approach the IG about our invitation, I am in a state of shock. This does not take away the resolution of the Senate to continue to support the President on Security issues.”

Saraki however in his response said, “I don’t want us to labour too much.  At the upper chamber, we must show maturity and statesmanship. I don’t think anybody who has been around enough to observe the practice of our democracy knows that this action cannot be right. Under constitutional powers, it requires the IG to come and give a report on the incident involving a colleague and the incessant killings happening in the country. He has felt that he cannot come and wants to delegate it to a junior to come.

“No IG has ever refused to appear before the Senate since we started practicing democracy.  I don’t think that has happened before. But we must know these actions are danger to our democracy.  Again, we cannot say it is just to us because the President told us that he told him to go to Benue and the man refused to go to Benue and he is sitting there and he is doing this. I want to appeal to our colleagues, let us approach this in two ways.

“One way, we give him another period for him to reflect the enormity of his action because whatever happens today sets a precedence future and as such it is important that we do not allow issues like this.

“The leader of the Senate and the Chairman on Police should engage with the executive and send our position. There are powers we can exercise which are not in the interest of us making progress in this country.

“Since beginning of the year, over 500 or 600 have been killed and we believe that the man in charge of enforcing this does not think he needs to sit down with Senate to engage with us when there is something wrong somewhere. So let us hold and give them time within a week and come back to us and I am sure that wisdom would prevail.”

In related development there was tight security at the national assembly as armed operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) are currently stationed at some points within the area.

There is also an unusual number of officers of the Nigeria police force patrolling the premises.

The Directir General of DSS, Lawal Daura was summoned by the Senate over the snatching of Mace in Senate.

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