Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris
The House of Representatives on Wednesday summoned the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, over rising cases of extrajudicial killings in the country by security personnel,
particularly the police.
He 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 the 3SC Football Club 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 as the area the extrajudicial 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 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 extrajudicial killings by security agencies.
According to Ossai, who is from Delta State, the law presumes everyone to be innocent until proven guilty, except the life of a security official was seen to be in clear danger.
“We should rise against injustice and recklessness by security agencies. This certainly cannot continue,” Ossai added.
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