Ebun Francis || The Inspector General of police, Idris Ibrahim on Thursday said that there is no tension in the country despite the ongoing violent clashes between security personnel and pro-Biafran agitators in the South East and some parts of the South South.
The IGIP made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen after his meeting with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Quizzed by journalists on the preparedness of the police to maintain law and order in the country given the rising tension in the South East, Idris denied that there is tension in the land and maintained that the force is in touch with the various levels of government and the political leadership.
He said, “Which country, this Nigeria? No. Nigeria does not have tension. At least you are in Abuja you have gone around there is no tension.”
“Obviously one is to deploy policemen across the country, two, we are in touch with the state governments and trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary on how to lessen the tension in the south east,” the IGP said.
The police boss also denied an allegation by Rivers State Governor, Nyisom Wike that an operative of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) killed during a foiled kidnap operation at the Oroazi area of Rivers was one of the kidnappers.
He said, “If a policeman was killed will you say he was involved in crime? I think you are mixing two different issues.”
“A policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with this IPOB issue, is different from saying policemen are involved in crime. You cannot say someone that was attacked and killed is the one involved in crime.
“I just want you to read between the lines. If you have leaders making sweeping allegations, obviously it does not make sense. I don’t want to comment on it.”