Reps proffer solution to Buhari on how to use IGP to end Benue killings

President Muhammadu Buhari has been asked by members of the House of Representatives to order the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to direct security agencies to ensure the Open Grazing (Prohibition) Law in Benue State is enforced.

The lawmakers, who passed the resolution during its plenary on Thursday, argued that the enforcement of the grazing law will help halt the wanton killings by herdsmen across that state.

The House, during its session presided over by Speaker Yakubu Dogara, also condemned the latest attacks on villagers in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state where 26 more lives were lost on Monday.

According to Dogara, the Federal Government must recognise the fact that as a state, Benue was covered by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to make laws for the good governance of its existence.

The decision came after an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Benue State, Mr. Hassan Saleh, drew the attention of the House to the latest killings by herdsmen, which he said happened on the “refusal of the police and other security services” to enforce the state’s grazing law.

Saleh, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency said, “The government has not restricted the herdsmen. These same herdsmen and their cultural organisation, Miyetti Cattle Breeders, have vowed to continue the killings until the anti-open grazing law is reversed.

“The IG and other security services must arrest these killers and prosecute them. We are playing with the future of this country. I have received about 700 calls since Monday alone; people are telling me that they are willing to defend themselves. I have to keep pleading with them.

“We must be careful. Mr. Speaker, if we don’t arrest this situation of insecurity all over the country, one day it will consume all of us. Mr. Speaker, when it starts, you and I will not be able to sit here in Abuja.”

READ ALSO: Buhari scores himself on anti-graft fight, security of Nigerians

Another APC member from Edo State, Mr. Johnson Egwakhide-Oghuma, who spoke on the matter, faulted the use of quota system in recruitment into the country’s security agencies.

He said, “Security is a specialised issue. You don’t recruit people into security services on the basis of quota system. Security is not necessarily a matter you use for the mere sake of providing employment.

“It is a specialised duty where you do not compromise merit, education and the willingness to do the right thing.”

The Speaker quickly stopped further debate on the motion and referred it to the ad hoc committee already set up by the House to look into insecurity cases in the country.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now