Benue killings: Nigeria Police chief arrives Makurdi

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Wednesday arrived Makurdi as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The President had ordered the I-G to move to Benue to restore law and order, prevent further loss of lives and forestall the crisis from escalating.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that gunmen had on New Year day attacked and killed 50 persons in Logo and Guma local government areas of Benue.

The Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement said the order followed the recent unfortunate killings of innocent people in Guma and Logo.

Mr. Moshood said that in compliance with the presidential order, the I-G was moving with additional five Units of Police Mobile Force making a total of 10 Units deployed to the State.

“More Units of the Police Special Forces, Counter Terrorism Units, and Conventional Policemen are already being deployed to the State to comply in totality with the Presidential order.

“The full weight of the law will be applied on anyone arrested for being responsible for the mayhem in the affected areas in the state.

“The commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure Law and order and protection of lives and property of all Nigerians throughout the country remains unequivocal and unwavering,” he said.

The I-G, who arrived Makurdi at about 10 a.m. proceeded straight to Zone 4 Police Command.

At the command, the police chief was received on arrival by the Assist Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Benue Commissioner of Police and other senior police officers.

(NAN)