The Nation Newspaper

Tag: IGP

  • IGP’s action on Tambuwal unacceptable – Ozekhome

    IGP’s action on Tambuwal unacceptable – Ozekhome

    Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) has condemned the withdrawal of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal’s security details, saying the act is capable of setting a bad precedence for the country’s democracy.

    He implored Tambuwal to explore judicial interpretation of his defection to counter the withdrawal of his security aides by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Abba Suleiman.

    According to him, the section of the 1999 Constitution which the Acting IGP premised his action on has a window of exemption for such action taken by the Speaker.

    He told The Nation on Friday in Abuja that the Speaker can prove his defection right if certain events were taken into perspective.

    Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution as altered, merely prohibits carpet crossing or defection from the original sponsoring political party to another. And where that happens, a member of the Senate or House of Representatives is expected to vacate his seat.

    Ozekhome said, “Though the Speaker, Tambuwal has decamped from PDP to APC, he has not yet been pronounced upon as having lost his seat in the House.

    “For now, it is presumptuous. Even at that, we should rise above the level of petty politics and do the right thing by not desecrating our institutions and the quintessence of our democratic culture through actions that call to question the institutions of the Nigeria Police and the National Assembly.

    “Tambuwal remains the speaker of the House, at least till December 3, when the House resumes Plenary. He has not been impeached.

    “He remains the number four person in Nigeria. He therefore deserves full complement of security, not because of his person as an ordinary Nigerian, but as the Speaker of the lower House, the 4th person in order of protocol.

    “If the Speaker can show that his defection is as a result of a division in PDP, or that PDP has lost  its identity because of its  merger with another political party, he will be excused by the proviso to Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution.

    “For now, the police should immediately restore his security aids without much ado.”

  • Police chiefs to issue tinted glass permit

    Police chiefs to issue tinted glass permit

    Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has authorised police commissioners in charge of state commands to issue tinted glass permits.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu, the acting IGP said the decision would enable the police to bring the service closer to the people.

    Abba said the permits have the same authority as those previously issued by the Force headquarters, adding that they are valid throughout the federation.

    The police chief said applicants have to get their vehicles examined to ascertain that the tinted glasses are factory-fitted.

  • IGP: police to bar candidates with criminal records

    IGP: police to bar candidates with criminal records

    Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has said the police would bar persons with proven criminal records from contesting in the coming general elections.

    He said the Force would do this in collaboration with the Department of State Security (DSS).

     “When it comes to screening, we will collaborate with our colleagues, especially the Department of State Security, to ensure candidates with criminal records are not allowed to contest,” Abba said.

    Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a meeting with top police officers, he said the Force had made arrangements to protect the electorate during and after the election.

    The IGP linked the attack on a police station in Kogi State to criminal activities, which he said was common during the ‘ember’ months.

    Said he: “We have made arrangements to ensure the police provide security during and after the elections. The activities include the registration of voters, the primaries, the selection of candidates, their screening, the conventions by the parties, the campaigns by the parties and others.

    “During the activities, the police will ensure adequate security is provided for those participating in the activities,” Abba said.

  • Boko Haram: 20 policemen still missing – IGP

    Boko Haram: 20 policemen still missing – IGP

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday maintained that at least 20 policemen are still missing from the Boko Haram attack on Nigeria Police Mobile Force (PMF), Gwoza Training camp, Borno State.

    He gave the figure while speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Out of the initial 35 missing police officers from the training school, he said that some of them have either reported back to the school or to their families.

    He said: “Well, I must tell you that the turnout of those missing is still impressive because we have been able to trace some of the officers who have reported either back to their bases or their families. When you go through what they went through, the likelihood of you knowing what to do is not very tenable.”

    “There is a possibility that the decision on what to do may not be easily comprehensible. So, some went back to their homes, but our concern is that they are in safety and we are satisfied. The process of bringing them back to their units has already commenced.”

    On how many policemen are still missing, he said: “I must tell you it is just less than 20 but we are still concern with every one of them and unless we are able to account for each and everyone of them, we will not relent in the efforts of tracing them.”

    He said the ongoing reorganisation in the police force is not reorganisation in itself but repositioning officers that could lead to advancement of the force.

    He said: “What we are trying to do is a normal thing, it has always been done. We assess performance and also take into cognisance vacancies available. We are all aware that quite a number of commissioners of police retired recently. Some of them were course mates of the retired IGP, so they left along with him after their 35 years in service. So it is just part of our efforts to fill vacancies and of course repositioned the officers based on performance to face the challenges.”

  • I’ll change mindset of Nigeria police, says IGP

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba has vowed that he will change the mindset of officers and men of the Nigerian police.

    Abba stated this when he visited the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Muhammad.

    He said he decided to visit the minister because of the great importance he attached to the Nation’s Capital and the FCT Administration in his scheme of affairs.

    Abba said: “We will devote considerable energy towards changing the attitude of the rank and file of the police.

    “This we will do through measures that would change the way police officers relate with each other and the way they relate with the people they serve.

    “We need to have a change of attitude. When we do that, we will see new police that are mindful of values – values of hard work, loyalty and ethics,” he said.

    The Inspector-General expressed optimism that when he concludes his attitudinal reform of the police, the officers and men would be more ethical and committed to duty.

    He extended a hand of fellowship to the FCT Administration through increased partnership between it and the police.

    Replying, Senator Mohammed said the appointment of Mr. Suleiman Abba as the Inspector-General of Police has raised fresh hope of a new and better Nigerian Police Force.

    He hailed his appointment as a good choice by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While congratulating Mr. Abba, he said he has no doubt that he would take the police to higher heights.

    According to him, the Inspector-General of Police has track records of hard work and professional excellence.

    He recalled his contributions to the success of the centenary celebrations and the World Economic Forum which the FCT hosted during his tenure as the AIG in charge of zone 7, Abuja.

  • Sagay to IGP: Police should be neutral

    Sagay to IGP: Police should be neutral

    Constitutional lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) has advised new Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba to maintaining neutrality in the conduct of the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun state and the  2015 general elections.

    Sagay also asked  the new Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba to put the interest of Nigeria forward in the discharge of his duties.

    Prof. Sagay who gave the advice during a chat with the media during the weekend in Lagos also admonished him to see himself as the IGP of Nigeria and not that of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (IGP) or the Presidency if he desires to have  his feet in the sand of time and in gold in the history of police administration in Nigeria.

    While congratulating Abba on his appointment, Sagay also condemned in strongest terms the recent abuse of security personnel by the Presidency also advised the new IGP to be devise strategies on how to maximize the police in ending insurgency in Nigeria, as well as.

    “I don’t the know the new IGP, Suleiman Abba in person. I don’t know what sort of person he is, what his records his. But what I expect from the Inspector- General of Police is that he is the IGP of Nigeria, not IGP of PDP or the Presidency.So, he must not be loyal to the PDP or Presidency, but loyal to the people of Nigeria”.

    “ He should be objective and neutral. He should be honourable. If he is told to do a partisan thing, he should refuse and resign honourably or be dismissed rather than compromise his integrity in his duty to Nigeria. The government now is misusing security all over the place to terrorise anbd intimidate people. He should refuse to be used in that manner. He should refuse to be part of what is happening in Osun state”.

    “He should refuse to be part of PDP agenda for 2015 election and he should neutral and totally independent and do his job objectively. That way, he will deserve to be IGP of Nigeria and not IGP of a political party or the presidency” he said

  • Abba is Acting IGP

    Abba is Acting IGP

    The police have a new chief.

    Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Suleiman Abba was yesterday named Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).  He replaces Mohammed Abubakar, in the saddle from January 2012 till yesterday when he retired after 35 years in service.

    President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Abba, according to statement by his spokesman Dr. Reuben Abati.

    The statement said: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of AIG Suleiman Abba as the Acting  Inspector-General of Police.

    “AIG Abba, currently the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states, replaces the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar, who proceeds on statutory retirement today having completed 35 years in service.

    “The incoming Inspector-General, a lawyer, hails from Jigawa State and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

    “Positions previously held by him in the Police include Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

    “His appointment is with effect from Friday, August 1, 2014.”

    Abba’s appointment has laid to rest speculations that Abubakar, whose tenure extension bid was spearheaded by Vice President Namadi Sambo, would stay in the police a day longer than his retirement date.

    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 hails from Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State. 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).

    Abba is described by police sources as “an officer without controversy”. With the 2015 general elections around the corner, his major challenge and test of character may come from the way he handles the elections.

    His first challenge may come from next Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

    If he serves out his full term as IGP, Abba, with Service No. AP24176, is expected to retire on March 22, 2019.

    The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro, congratulated Abba on his appointment.

    In a statement yesterday, Okiro, a one time IGP, advised Abba to rise up to the challenges of his new appointment.

    He noted that as a tested officer who had various Command positions, he had no doubt that Abba would bring new perspectives in the search for solutions to the security threats confronting the nation.

  • Man petitions IGP over son’s death

    Man petitions IGP over son’s death

    A father, Chief Raheem Badmus, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, for the alleged killing of his son, Oluwatobi at ‘B’ Division Police Station in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    In the petition by his lawyer, Badmus said his only son died as a result from injuries sustained when in police custody over allegation of stealing a handset.

    Badmus said the death of his son rattled him as the boy was hale and hearty.

    Badmus urged the IGP to probe the death to bring the perpetrators to book.

    The Police Public Relations Officer(PPRO), Wole Ogodo, said the Area Commander in charge had commenced investigation.

  • Photo: IGP, Abubakar on traffic duty

    Photo: IGP, Abubakar on traffic duty

    Inspector General of Police – MD Abubakar – fully dressed in Traffic Police uniform and controlling traffic at the popular Ministry of Finance Junction at Central Abuja.

  • IGP pledges adequate security for Ekiti poll

    IGP pledges adequate security for Ekiti poll

    AHEAD of the governorship election in Ekiti State, the Inspector- General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has assured the people and residents of the state and other stakeholders of the readiness of the police and other security agencies to provide adequate security during the election. A statement made available to newsmen yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, said the IGP gave the assurance during a brief meeting with the police management team on Friday. The IGP warned those he described as trouble-makers and anti-social elements to stay away from Ekiti throughout the period of the election. According to him, the police would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute persons that flout the law or cause a breach of the peace, no matter how highly placed they might be. “To this end, the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector- General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Michael Zuokumor, to relocate to Ado-Ekiti, the state’s capital, to ensure adequate police presence and the coordination of all security operations for the election in all polling units and collation centres in the state. “The IGP has ordered all police officers and men assigned to election duties in Ekiti State to ensure they work in line with the Police Code of Conduct and international best practices. “He has called on members of the public, particularly politicians, gubernatorial candidates and other relevant stakeholders in Ekiti State to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in the onerous but patriotic task of guaranteeing a hitch-free gubernatorial poll,” the statement added.