The Police Council has confirmed the appointment of Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The Council presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan confirmed the appointment.
State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that Council reviewed the IGP’s CV, his level of competence by those who have worked with him at one time or the order adding that “the council was unanimous that the Acting IGP be confirmed as a substantive IG and the President was accordingly advised and the President accepted the advise and appointed Mallam Abba as the substantive IG of Police.
“We also recognised that Police alone won’t be able to secure lives and properties, they will need the cooperation and collaboration of every Nigerian and when it comes to the issues of security all of us should be seen as activist. At community level, state level, local level and of course at national level.
“We also agreed to do whatever we can to support the police to provide some resources to complement federal effort to see that the police has all that it needs to ensure effective policing of the Nigeria State, so that it can guarantee and ensure protection of lives and properties. Moreso that we are approaching elections and naturally this is the peak of political activities and there are security issues that are associated with politicking and electioneering and we all agree that everything must be done to ensure that in this season everybody plays according to the rules and that the police does its job dispassionately so that Nigerians can look forward to the elections without fear.
“On the whole it was a good meeting and people expressed confidence that under the new IGP that the Police will go through radical reform and become a far more competent police force that Nigerians can trust and respect.
On the call for the sack of the IGP by the APC, Oshiomhole said, “well, I think the issue is not about the person of Mr. Abba. I think the issue you are refering to is the decision of the IGP to withdraw the security details of the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal. I’m not aware before then that anybody had issues, it is the decision police which shocked many of us myself inclusive that has led to those sentiments. But incidentally, this issue was not discussed at council because as the President advised, the matter is in court council could not discuss it.
“I’m clear that the IG must see Nigeria for what it is, it is a multi-party democracy, he must act according to the police law not according to the police convenience, these are my personal views. And the fact that he has been confirmed doesn’t mean if he doesn’t play according to the rules I have not forfieted my right to revise my position.
“So for now we were unanimous that based on his pedigree that Mallam Abba has what it takes to reposition the police. That does not mean they will be no pressure, there will be no irritation from time to time”
In a brief interaction with State House correspondents, Abba said his confirmation was comforting but comes with huge responsibility.
“I must tell you is a happy moment but is also a moment of sober reflection. Reflection on the responsibilities, on expectations, certainly I have to work hard to ensure that I meet up with the expectations of the office.
“Truly Nigerians and in fact all people in Nigeria deserve the best from us so that we make the environment safer and secured. I assure you having reflected on all these we will ensure that we manage all the resources in the charge of the Nigerian police, to ensure they are used judiciously for the safety and security of Nigeria”.
On the heavy criticism that trailed the withdrawal of the police aides of the Speaker and his alleged partisanship, Abba said, “well, that is a matter before the court and is prejudice for me to comment on it. I wouldn’t want to have any problem with the judiciary”.
On if he is concerned that the matter is heating up the polity, he said, “well, is still a matter before the court and I think whatever consequences to the polity we have to wait for the out come”.
Until is appointment as Acting Inspector-General of Police on August 1, Abba, was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states.
The Inspector-General, a lawyer, hails from Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State, and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.
He was also Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
Abba was the Chairman of Police Cooporative and was ADC to Mrs. Maryam Abacha during the tenure of the late General Sani Abacha as military Head State.
Abba, 55, was born on March 22, 1959. He was enlisted into the police on December 31, 1984.
Abba became an AIG on February 22, 2012, a few days after his predecessor was appointed the Inspector General of Police.
The new IGP served in various capacities and at various police formations. He was once the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of State CID at the Federal Capital Territory Command. From there, he moved to the Force Headquarters as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Deputy Force Secretary).
Members of Council are the President who serves as the Chairman and the Vice President serves as the Deputy Chairman.
Others are all state governors, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission and the IGP.
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