Following the horrendous killings in Benue State which claimed over 73 lives, the Senate on January 16 gave a two-week ultimatum to the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to bring those involved to book. Besides, it ordered the Benue State Attorney General to prosecute the culprits when they are arrested by the police.
The upper legislative chamber warned the police boss not to flout its directive. It also mandated its leadership to liaise with President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the recommendations are fully implemented. President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier ordered the police boss to relocate to Benue State and restore law and order.
Now that the Senate order to the IGP has reinforced the one issued by the President, it is important that the police carry it out to the letter. The Nigeria Police must realise that the security of life and property of the citizenry is its primary responsibility. It is, therefore, good that the IGP has been put on the spot and some persons are reported to have been arrested in connection with the killings. The National Assembly should ensure that the police apprehend all the culprits while the state’s legal authorities prosecute and bring them to justice. There should be consequences for any failure to comply with the Senate directives. It should no longer be business as usual in the effort to rein in the killer herdsmen.
It must be noted that the herdsmen/farmers’ crisis has not been adequately handled by the police. The police have not been quick to pre-empt and stop the attacks, or arrest the culprits. The latest Benue massacre is just an example. There are a number of others. The earlier claim by the IGP that the Benue massacre is a communal clash is not in order, even though he later recanted. Besides, there were signs that Benue State would witness a crisis following the enactment of the anti-grazing law in the state.
We recall that Governor Samuel Ortom had alerted the Federal Government to the impending attacks by herdsmen. It is on record that Benue people took pages of some national dailies and warned of the mayhem beforehand. The vehement opposition to the anti-grazing law by Fulani herdsmen was an indication of impending trouble.
We commend the Senate for mandating the police to fish out the masterminds of the mayhem. Doing so will help to end the current cycle of herdsmen’s murderous campaigns in the country and prevent future ones. The IGP and the police high command must take the Senate order seriously and work towards the achievement of the set objectives. This is not the time for the police to rest on their oars. The force must strive to redeem its image by arresting all those involved in the Benue killings and diligently prosecuting them. It must be alive to its constitutional responsibility. Its leadership need not wait till it is ordered to carry out a duty before it intervenes in crisis situations such as this one.
The renewed killings in Benue, which claimed five persons despite the heavy police presence in the state, should be stopped. Past killings by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country include the Agatu killings in Benue State in 2016 that claimed over 300 lives, the 2016 Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State bloodletting in which 46 people were killed, and the Southern Kaduna killings of 2016 that left 204 people dead. So far, the total loss of lives to herdsmen attacks is said to be over 5,000, although some leaders in northern Nigeria say some herdsmen had also been killed in reprisal attacks in the past.
To stop these avoidable deaths, the masterminds of the Benue killings must be arrested, prosecuted and adequately punished, if found guilty. This is one assignment in which the IGP must not be found wanting. He should do it with dispatch and utmost sense of responsibility.