IG apologises to Benue over “communal clash” comment

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has apologised to the citizens of Benue State for referring to the current crisis in parts of the state as "communal clash" when he spoke to newsmen in Abuja last week.

Idris who arrived Makurdi on Wednesday on the directives from President Muhammadu Buhari that he should immediately relocate to Benue state against the background of recent killings by alleged armed herders said his statement was misinterpreted.

"I want to apologize for the misconception of the statement, I made at a media briefing in Abuja. I was trying to say that as Nigerians should live together and stay together as one family. But I was misinterpreted," he said.

The police chief maintained that Nigeria would remain united and wax stronger as effort would be made to nib in the bud those challenges threatening the country’s unity, stressing the need for peace to prevail.