IGP meets Buhari, says Benue killings is ”communal misunderstanding”

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has described the recent killings in Logo and Guma Local Government Areas of Benue State as a communal crisis.

The police helmsman said this in an interview with State House correspondents on Friday after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Idris noted that he was at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja to discuss with President Buhari on how to effectively secure the country.

Reacting to an accusation that the Police Force was being reactionary instead of being proactive in stopping the killings, Idris said: "Let’s use the example of Benue. You know most of these states where you have several languages, you know it is an issue of communal misunderstanding. I think what we should be praying for is for Nigerians to learn to live in peace with each other, I think it is very important.

"Obviously, it is communal crisis, herdsmen are part of the community. They are Nigerians and are part of the community. Are they not?"

He said as part of new measures, the Force would deploy more units to support the efforts being made in Benue in order to adequately protect "the men and communities and members."

He assured that such a carnage "will not repeat itself.

The police boss also stated that "Obviously, I think Nigeria is well secured.”

Daily Trust