independence anniversary, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris,
on Thursday maintained that there is no tension in the country.
But he
said efforts are on to quell the little disturbances in the South East.
He said “I don’t think there is tension in the country.
Which country? This Nigeria? No. Nigeria does not have any tension. At least you
are in Abuja you have gone around there is no tension.”
He spoke with State House
correspondents after meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the
Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
On the South East, he said,
“Obviously one is to deploy policemen across the country, two we are in touch
with the states government, trying to mobilize the political leadership to be
able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the South
East.”
He disagreed with the allegations by Rivers State Governor Nyesom
Wike claiming that most crimes committed in Rivers State was committed by
members Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Reacting to the allegation, he
said “He has right to self expression. You know he is a governor.”
Asked
if he was not denying the the claim, he said “Of course I have to deny that,
that is nonsense. I have to deny that.”
On the picture of policemen
displayed to support the governor’s claim, he said “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 in connection with this IPOB
issue, its different from saying the policemen are involved in crime. You cannot
say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime. Who is
the person they were attempting to kidnap?”
