- How to end Plateau, Benue killings- Ex- IGP Suleiman Abba
By Ali Baba-Inuwa
A former Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Alhaji Sulaiman Abba, has advocated for Special Courts to try individuals suspected of involvement in Plateau and Benue killings, to end the menace in the states.
Plateau and Benue States have witnessed unending killings linked to farmers-herders clashes for many years. Thousands of people have either lost lives, families or homes, with many others taking shelter in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the states due to the unending attacks from both sides.
But the former Police Boss said that the killings could be stopped if the government establish Special Courts to try those suspected of involvement from both sides.
Abba, who served at the 17th IGP under the regime of former President Goodluck Jonathan, said this at the unveiling of his Campaign for the Jigawa Central seat of the National Assembly for 2027 general election, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Dutse.
The retired IGP stated that he had cause to advise a former President on the idea, lamenting however, that the advise was ignored for certain reasons.
“I once advised a former President on how to stop the killings, I went to his office and told him that the Plateau killings could be stopped even before it got to Benue with a simple action.
“I said that since we had suspects already from both sides, that is from the Fulani and the other group, why not call the Attorney General and the Chief Justice of the federation, let them establish Special Courts that will have accelerated hearing and once people are convicted, even if it’s execution let it be implemented so that it could serve as examples and deterent for others to see,” he said.
Abba said that the same formula could be applied to treat corruption cases in the country.
“Corruption is a problem in the country no doubt about that.
“A special Court can help because most of those being tried don’t get too worried at all, they know that once they are given bail there’s every likelihood that the case may die a natural death.
“But if it is special Courts there will be accelerated hearing and the cases will be done in a short time.
“Accelerated hearing will help in fighting corruption,” Abba said.
He said that he had so much to offer at the National Assembly towards tackling Nigeria’s security challenge.
“At the National Assembly, my expertise will be brought to use, I assure you that those militating factors that disallowed our people the security to live their lives, will be addressed.
“What ever will be done to salvage the security of the country will be done, I know we have problems in North West States, in North Central States and in almost all parts of the country we are facing security challenges.
“I will make sure that we find solutions to them,” he said.
Abba said that he had enough qualifications for the National Assembly.
“The Senate is not for everybody, it is for matured mines who have had the experience, who have known governance, who knows what is done and who can do it and make sure it’s done better, so I will make sure there’s improvement in terms of education
“I know the problem with the agricultural sector because I’m a farmer, I have been a farmer right from my years in service, because the service rules allow that.
“I’m not going to be antagonistic to the government in the state and in any case I’m hoping that my own party will form the next government in the state. So I can walk there and say this is how you can accelerate agricultural development,” he said.
He said that individuals vying for the National Assembly seats must be qualified enough.
“Time has come that we must consider three things before sending anybody to the National Assembly.
‘We must make sure that he has good educational background, he must have good experience in governance or must have excell in any of his chosen field or endeavor, he must be a person who has resilience because the assembly is the collection of representatives of the states in the federation, so he must have resilience enough to say no when he has to say no, or say yes when he has to say yes.
“The Senate is where very important laws are made.
“I don’t look like the type of person who will go there and sit down, I don’t look like a lazy person who will go there and start sleeping and I think I’m educated enough to know matters that require hard decisions.
“The Senate is not just about Nigeria, sometimes decisions are made on Nigeria’s foreign policy there among others, my degree in history and law have exposed me social life to politics and so many things,” he said.
Abba promised to provide quality representation at the National Assembly, if elected.
“I think when I say qualitative representation I know the meaning.
“I’m not in the opposition, it’s a PDP sit the current senator won on the party’s ticket, so it won’t be difficult thing for me to win.
“But in any case there is no magic in politics, I’m going to use all the lawful ways to make sure that I won the minds of the voters,” he said.
Abba promised to run a peaceful campaign in accordance with the law.
“With my background as a law enforcement officer, I will like to assure you that you are going to see one of the most peaceful campaign, we are going to do it according to the law and we are going to be respectful.
“But let me tell you this, the nay sayers who are already engaged in side talks, that they would use whatever means to ensure that I’m rigged out should better take note that if it is because they know people at the top, the top is not a no go area for me, if you think you know them, I know them better than you.
“I was the chairman of the security committee for the 2015 General Election, I know how things are done in and out.
“We will be respectful and play by the rules of the game, if you are using thugs tell them to keep away from me,” he said.
How to end Plateau, Benue killings- Ex- IGP Suleiman Abba
