IGP Ibrahim Idris
A peace meeting at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, was on Tuesday stalled due to the absence of Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Gov. Tanko Al-Makura, and other critical stakeholders.
The meeting was to address issues of security emanating from state of insecurity in North central zone. Suspected herdsmen on New Year day attacked and killed 73 persons in Logo and Guma Local government areas of Benue, prompting President Muhammadu Buhari to order the I-G to relocate to Benue, to restore law and order and forestall the crisis from escalating.
The meeting which had representatives of Benue and Nasarawa state in attendance could not hold because of the absence of the two governors who are considered critical stakeholders.
The Secretary to the Benue State Government, Prof. Anthony Ijohor, who spoke on behalf of the state, moved the motion for the postponement of the meeting. He was supported by representatives from the two states.
He said that he expected the two state governors to be in attendance at a meeting where peace would be discussed.
“I expect the governors of both states to be here including the Emir of Lafia.
“We most humbly request you to shift this meeting to allow the two governors and other critical stakeholders to be in attendance,“ he said.
Earlier, Idris said that the meeting was called for the two states to rub mind toward proffering solutions to the security challenges in the states.
“I decided to call this meeting for us to find solutions to the security problem. It is high time the leaders and the led try to look at issues that unite us as one people.
“I want us to use this opportunity to end this problem once and for all,“ he said.
He urged them to be tolerant of each other to live in peace and unity.
The inspector-general said that a new date and venue would be communicated to the stakeholders.
