I don’t think there is tension in Nigeria, says IGP

Despite the clashes between security operatives and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Abia and Rivers states, Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of police, says there is no tension in the country.

The police chief put forward the assertion on Thursday after a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja.

When asked by journalists to divulge the preparedness of the police ahead of the Independence Day celebration in view of the unease 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 tension. At least you are in Abuja you have gone around there is no tension.”

In the same breath, Idris said all the critical stakeholders, including governors, were being engaged to “lessen the tension” in the south-east.

“Obviously one is to deploy policemen across the country, two, we are in touch with the state governments and trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the south east,” the IGP said.

Idris also denied an allegation that the killing of an operative of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) during a foiled kidnap operation at the Oroazi area of Rivers was an indication that his men were involved in armed robbery and kidnapping.

“If a policeman was killed will you say he was involved in crime? I think you are mixing two different issues,” he said.

“A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with this IPOB issue, is different from saying policemen are involved in crime. You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime.

“I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making sweeping allegations, obviously it does not make sense. I don’t want to comment on it.”