The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abba

  • Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Barring a last minute change, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Suleiman Abba will take over today as the 17th Inspector General of Police.

    If approved by President Goodluck Jonathan the AIG Zone 7, will take over from Muhammed Abubakar, who bows out today after serving the mandatory 35 years in service.

    Abubakar was appointed on January 16 , 2012.

    Abba, who hails from Jigawa State in the Northwest geo-political zone like Abubakar (who hail from Zamfara), was strongly recommended for the top job by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    If Abba is appointed, some of the Deputy Inspectors Generals (DIGs) will retire. The fate of the other was unknown last night.

    Abba is a former Aide-de-Camp to a former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha.

    A member of the Nigeria  Police Council, who spoke in confidence last night: “Abba has been “strongly” recommended to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces as the next IGP, based on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission.

    “The Police Council met and ratified the recommendation. The President is expected to make an official announcement upon the expiration of the outgoing IGP’s tenure today.

    Abba was Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Chairman of Police Cooperative before he became AIG Zone 7.

    Another source at the Police Service Commission, said: “We looked at the security challenges facing the nation and how to address these. The service records of Abba showed that he can lead the police to tackle terrorism headlong.

    “Some have raised issues on his being ADC during Abacha era, but his evaluation confirmed that he was never wanting.

    “He has good antecedents for the job. And security reports indicated that he would excel.”

    On why a North-West candidate is succeeding the outgoing IGP from the same geopolitical zone, the source added: “We are after merit.”

  • Military takes over Boko Haram assembly points

    Military takes over Boko Haram assembly points

    … Kills three, arrests 25

    …High profile Boko Haram leader killed

    The Multinational Joint Task Force has captured three key assembly points of Boko Haram insurgents and killed three, including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba.

    Also, the force has arrested 25 suspected insurgents during a foiled bid to invade Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    But the insurgents succeeded in killing a member of the task force.

    These disclosures were contained in a statement issued by the Defence Headquarters spokesman, Brig. Gen. Chris Olukolade, on the update on the ongoing special operation in Borno State and two others where emergency rule has been declared.

    The statement said the special forces had also intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end.

    The statement said: “Troops of the Special Forces have intercepted messages sent to fleeing insurgents urging them not to give up but fight to the end.

    “The attempt by some of them to heed the call was foiled during the weekend as they were trailed to some settlements and towns towards the border where they plan to regroup.

    “Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force carried out an operation which resulted in the capture and destruction of the insurgents assembly points sited in the outskirts of Kaneram Dan Katsina, Tumbu Dabino and Mallam Fatori area north of Baga.

    “The towns and settlements have now been secured while cordon and search operation is also ongoing in the area after the insurgents have been dislodged.”

    The statement added that while three insurgents were killed during an encounter to prevent the invasion of Maiduguri, about 25 others were arrested

    The statement added: “Meanwhile, a total of 25 insurgents were rounded up while three died including a high profile terrorist identified as Abba- who has been on the list of most wanted persons.