TheCable

Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), has failed to appear before the senate for the third time.

Idris was expected to appear before the senate over the growing security concerns in the country and the case of Dino Melaye, senator representing Kogi west.

The first time the IGP was invited to appear before the senators, he accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi state.

At another date when he was expected to show up, the IGP went to Birin Gwari, Kaduna state, on a working visit.

After it was established that he was not present in the upper chamber on Wednesday, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the next line of action needs to be decided.

“I have just been informed that the inspector-general of police is not here or anybody in his team so I think we need to decide on the next line of action,” Saraki said.

Ahmed Lawan, senate leader, said he had not been able to reach the IGP after trying to get him on the phone for two days.

“For the last two days, we have tried to reach the IGP to inform him that he should appear today. Personally I made attempts to call his line and sent text messages. Clearly he is not here,” he said.

“I think this is very unusual and unfortunate. I feel that a public officer should do what is in the interest of the public. Where any public officer feels he cannot, then there is no need for him to continue to occupy that kind of office.

“This institution is at a crossroad on this. A decision has to be taken. But in a situation where there is consistent non-appearance by the IG. I don’t think we would make further sense to extend invitation.”

Emmanuel Bwacha, senator representing Taraba south, said it is unacceptable that the IGP would refuse to appear before the senate.

He suggested a closed-door session to consider the next line of action.

“This is quite a very sad moment for Nigeria, not for the parliament but for our democracy. Let me share or inform the senate – I had the privilege or the grace to chair the house committee on police affiars in the fifth national assembly and I cannot imagine in my wildest imagination that such a thing could happen to the country’s highest lawmaking body,” Bwacha said.

“It is sad, it is inexcusable, unacceptable, it is condemnable and it calls for immediate action. We need to take a very serious action on the way forward. I suggest Mr president let us have a closed-session for a very serious consideration on this matter. This is a national disgrace.”

Thereafter, the senate went into a closed-door session.