No group will overrun Nigeria under my watch, says Arase
Solomon Arase, inspector-general of police, says no group will overrun Nigeria or illegally occupy any part of the country under his watch.
Arase gave the assurance in Abuja at a public hearing on the influx of herdsmen to Benue, organised by the house of representatives’ committee on police affairs.
He said the Nigeria police force (NPF) has so far arrested 18 people in connection with the attacks in Benue communities.
“Every life lost diminishes humanity as a whole,” he 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.”
Arase said the force had developed initiatives to restore normalcy and ensure peace in the state.
“I had a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Benue where each of the parties presented their positions, both verbally and in writing,” he said.
“It was a very protracted argument and before leaving, I was able to come up with some strategies on how to mitigate this crisis which I presented to the government of Benue and Nasarawa states.”
Earlier, Benson Abonu, deputy governor of Benue, told the committee that attacks in the state were well organised with sophisticated weapons.
“There appeared to be a systematic move by some people to annihilate the people of Benue state to establish a kingdom or some kind of rulership,” he said.
“It has taken a national dimension, whereby 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 they are counting. We have made this known to the army and other security agencies.
“If we do not nip this in the bud, because it has already taken a national dimension, what we witnessed with insurgents in the north-east may be a child’s play.”
The Tiv communities led by Edward Ujege, a chief, requested that N100billion compensation be paid to assuage the loss of lives and properties in the communities.
Ujege also canvassed for the eviction of herdsmen whom he said had sacked and occupied the communities through violent means.
He called for the establishment of cattle ranch, describing it as best way to curb the crises.
“Ranching is the only and sure way out of these crises and should be established and operated by individuals,” he said.
The umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association was absent at the public hearing.
Interestingly the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association with its patron as the president of the Nation who also is a cattle owner, was absent at the said public hearing where I guess every party was invited.
The same president gave flimsy excuses to the various herdsmen attacks around the country from Agatu, Idoma all the way to Ukpabi- Nimbo, Ekiti and so on, attributing it to militia trained by Gadhafi who later found their way to Boko haram and so on.
It might be that Arase and the president differ in their views concerning the Fulani herdsmen attacks, because according to the president, foreigners trained by Gadhafi who later dispersed after his downfall and found their ways in Boko Haram and so on, invaded Nigeria causing mayhem in different parts of the country and Neither has he as the president and commander in chief of Nigeria armed forces ,who’s country is being invaded by foreigners, declared war on them nor does it happen under Arase´s watch as the Inspector general of police. Something is definitely wrong here.