IGP promotes slain officer in IPOB/army clash

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has conferred a posthumous promotion on the late Assistant Superintendent of Police, Cyril Nwosu, who was kille

d when suspected members of IPOB attacked and burnt down the police post in Ariaria Aba.

The dead officer, who was yet to be confirmed as a substantive ASP, was confirmed by the IGP during his visit to Abia State to see things for himself and also assess the security situation in the state after the clash.

Idris said that the recent crisis in the state was a trial to all of Nigerians, adding that the country has come out stronger and appealed to all stakeholders to take the unity of Nigeria as a priority.

The IGP lauded the role of the traditional institutions in peace-building and fostering national unity especially during the crisis that engulfed the state recently and thanked them for their role in ensuring that peace reign supreme in the state.

The police boss spoke during a courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in Umuahia while on his official visit to the state to show solidarity with the state government over the recent crises.

Idris said that there has been many security challenges in the state in recent time and thanked the security agencies for rising to the occasion. “We have seen a lot of changes in Abia, the crises experienced in the state in the past few days are events that are not new, where some misguided elements tried to achieve their dreams in a wrong way.

“I believe Nigeria must be stronger, every part of Nigeria has its strength, if will we try to harness this strength together, we are going to make this country far better than we are now,” he said.

The IGP commended the governor for his role in dousing the tension, stressing that his timely imposition of a dusk to dawn curfew went a long way to bring peace and sanity within the state and its people.

Responding, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to ensure protection of lives and property of Nigerians living in the state irrespective of where they may come from so long as they reside in the state.

Ikpeazu maintained that Abia will continue to harbor and take all Nigerians residing in the state as brothers and thanked the Inspector General of police for responding to the needs of all parts of Nigeria.