The Nigerian Police through their spokesman Jimoh Moshood have stated that the refusal of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear before the Senate is well within his rights.

The statement from the police added that the presence of the Deputy Inspector-General or an Assistant Inspector-General was sufficient for such an occasion and was a provision of Sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act.

The Senate, after the IGP refused once again to appear before it yesterday, resolved that the Police Chief was now persona non-grata, a label that the Police have found contentious.

“The IG and the Nigeria Police Force will not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order and ensuring that the Rule of Law prevails.

“The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure the preservation of law and order, supremacy of the law of the land, and make sure that all Nigerians are subject to the same law, no matter what their position is in the society.” the statement said.

It also added that the Senate was only trying to tarnish the image of the IGP.

It added: “The Nigeria Police Force as a law-abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.”

“The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property and due enforcement of the rule of law, and law and order across the country,”

The Senate had summoned the IGP in a bid to question him over his decision to have Senator Dino Melaye arrested.