House Of Representatives Summons Inspector General of Police Over Increasing Extra-Judicial Killings

Following the escalating rate of extra-judicial killings by men of the Nigerian Police Force, the House of Representatives has reached out to the IGP on the matter.

Mr. Ibrahim Idris

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, has been summoned by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

 

The police boss was summoned over the rising cases of extra-judicial killings in the country by security personnel, particularly the police.

 

According to The Punch, the man is to appear before the House Committees on Police Affairs and Human Rights along with heads of “other culpable” security agencies.

 

The House cited the case of Bayelsa State, where it said the Joint Task Force and the police had killed four “innocent Nigerians” in the last two weeks.

 

A lawmaker from Bayelsa State, Mr. Douye Diri, who moved a motion on the killings, recalled that one of the victims was the late Izu Joseph.

 

Joseph was a footballer, who played for 3SC of Ibadan.

 

Diri named other victims as 17-year-old Innocent Kokorifa; a 30 year-old man, Inyan; and five-year-old girl, Godgift Oduku.

 

The lawmaker mentioned Eleki Community in Yenagoa Local Government Area as the place the extra-judicial killings took place.

 

“The House is worried that in the last two weeks, the Nigeria Police in Bayelsa State Command/JTF have shot and killed four innocent Nigerians.

“That the trend, if not checked, may lead to a breakdown of the law and order in a situation where the people will be forced to defend themselves from attacks from the very police who have been paid by tax payers to protect them.”

 

The Chairman, House Committee on Ethics/Privileges, Mr. Nicholas Ossai, enjoined members to rise against  extra-judicial killings by security agencies.

 

According to Ossai, who is from Delta State, the law presumes everyone to be innocent until proven guilty, except that the life of a security official was seen to be in clear danger.

 

“This matter of killings has to be properly investigated. We should rise against injustice and recklessness by security agencies. This certainly cannot continue,” Ossai added.

 

Another member from Bayelsa State, Sodaguwo Festus-Omoni, described the killings as “worrisome.”

 

She said people lived in fear and had frequently raised concerns over the abuses by security personnel in the state