Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has faulted a statement credited to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, calling on Policemen to deal with Biafra agitators.
Alkali had reportedly directed police operatives in the South East and South-South to deal ruthlessly with Biafra agitators, assuring the officers of his protection.
But Chidoka, yesterday, described the IGP’s directives as unfortunate and sad, insisting such was against democratic norms.
Chidoka, a former Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, said: “The Ag IGP’s statement is as problematic as it is embarrassing in a democracy, and a country founded on the rule of law with guaranteed fundamental rights.”
He said: “If the mission of the head of Nigeria Police Force is to restore peace, he cannot at the same time entrench lawlessness and anarchy being a chief law enforcer himself.
“The directive is an open license for the massacre of the southeast and southsouth youths. Under the guise of this blank cheque, any person killed would be labelled a Biafran agitator, and unfortunately, they would not be alive to speak for themselves.”
Chidoka said the IG, through such an order has arrogated to himself the position of the law.
“This is arrogance, and an affront to constitutional rule. It is not tenable in a democratic society. The experience in Borno in fighting Boko Haram should remain a guide for all law enforcement agencies as we fight to restore law and order in the country.
“For the benefit of doubt, let me assume that the IGP misspoke or was quoted in error and call on him to reverse himself and speak in a manner befitting of a refined officer in a constitutional society.
“I also wish to draw the attention of men of good conscience and the International community to the looming regime of state lawlessness in the South-East and South-South, which portends grave dangers to young people of these regions.”
Chidoka also condemns the attack on policemen and law enforcement infrastructure in strong terms, warning that it is an ill wind that will blow no good to anyone.
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