IGP Ibrahim Idris:

The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris said the claim by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers that the police is behind criminal activities in the state is a sweeping allegation which “does not make sense’’ to him.

The Police chief who spoke to journalists after he briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the outbreak of violence in some parts of Abia on Thursday however said  what Wike said was his personal opinion on the security situation in his state.

He, however, said police did not have to deny the governor’s allegation that crimes were perpetrated in the state by its operatives (SARS).

Idris explained that the display of a corpse purported to be that of the police in a crime scene did not indicate that the said policeman was involved in the crime.

“That a Policeman was killed in Rivers in connection with the IPOB issue is different from saying that the policeman was involved in a crime.

“You cannot say that the one attacked and killed is the one involved in the crime,’’ he stated.

While reacting to the Oct. 1 quit notice given to some Nigerians to leave some parts of the country, the I-G said there was no cause for alarm.

“I don’t think there is tension in the country; there is no tension here,’’ he said.

He also said the police was adopting a three-pronged approach to resolve the crisis in Abia State, especially the clash between members of the Indegenous People of Biafra and soldiers.

“The strategy we are using is to ensure that we deploy policemen throughout the country.

“Secondly, we are in touch with the government.

“We are trying to mobilise the political leadership to be able to intervene where necessary in how to reduce the tension that is already taking place in the South East.’’