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Tag: Suleiman Abba

  • We’ll recover illegal arms before 2015 elections – IGP

    We’ll recover illegal arms before 2015 elections – IGP

    … Says, 29 policemen still missing

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has said the police would recover illegal arms in circulation across the country before the 2015 general election.

    Abba accused politicians of arming their supporters illegally, for the purpose of using same to perpetrate illegality during elections.

    The IGP urged individuals or groups in possession of such fire arms to surrender them to the police or face prosecution if arrested.

    “The mopping up of arms is a continuous exercise. I have directed the Commissioners of Police in all the states to not only make a press statement banning the possession of illegal weapons, but to also advise members of the public to return those arms to the police.”

    Abba, who spoke during a meeting with senior police officers at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, said the police would ensure violence free elections in states across the federation.

    “What we are doing now is that we are laying emphasis in view of the oncoming election, in particular the commencement of campaigns which will begin in a few days time.

    “Sometimes, supporters of politicians get arms, with or without their principals’ knowledge and before you know it, they begin to use it against one another,” the IGP said.

    The police boss announced that one of the 30 policemen that got missing following terrorist attack on a training school in Gwoza, Borno State, a few months ago, had returned and reported at his duty post.

  • Abba confirmed as substantive IGP

    Abba confirmed as substantive IGP

    Mr. Suleiman Abba was on Tuesday confirmed as substantive Inspector General of Police by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He was confirmed at a Police Council meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and thereafter admitted into the  Council.

    The President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said on his Twitter handle @abati1990 – “At Police Council meeting today, President Jonathan confirms Suleiman Abba as substantive Inspector General of Police.”

    Abba was appointed the acting IGP on August 1 after the retirement of erstwhile police chief, Mohammed Abubakar.

    He is the country’s 17th indigenous police helmsman.

  • Withdrawal of Speaker’s security: NBA asks Abba to resign

    Withdrawal of Speaker’s security: NBA asks Abba to resign

    THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch has asked the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, to resign for ordering the withdrawal of the security details of House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    In a statement yesterday by its chairman, Yinka Farounbi, the NBA said: “To say the least, the action of the IGP, apart from being a usurpation of the functions of the third tier of government, the judiciary, is the most disservice and the greatest threat to our democracy, particularly the 2015 general elections”.

    The Bar took a swipe at the IGP, accusing him of “arrogating to himself the power of 240 members of the House of Representative and remove the Speaker and went ahead to constitute himself to a court of law and declared the seat of the Speaker vacant.”

    The statement added: “Is the IGP not telling the whole world that the police, meant to be for all Nigerians, is a PDP police and that the forthcoming elections in 2015 will be in accordance with whims and caprices of our PDP police?

    “Where then is the neutrality of police in the political system of the country?”

    The NBA challenged Abba to tell the nation who the substantive Speaker is and when “he intends to conduct a bye-election into ‘his declared vacant seat’ of Hon. nay dishonorable Aminu Tambuwal?

    “In order to save us enormous resources, can the IGP tell us the result of the 2015 elections so as to limit us to preparation for swearing in only?”

  • IGP orders nationwide audit of police arsenals

    IGP orders nationwide audit of police arsenals

    The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has ordered a nationwide audit of the Force armouries.

    In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, the IGP said the audit will enable the Force to review the current state of arms and ammunition in stock at various police armouries.

    The statement reads: “As part of measures to strengthen accountability of the stock of weaponry of the Nigeria Police Force, the Ag. Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a thorough check and audit of police armouries nationwide.

    “The exercise, which has already commenced, will cover all Police Commands, Formations, Stations and Units across the country. This measure will also enable the Force to review the current state of arms and ammunition in stock at various police armouries.

  • 2015: Police will bar candidates with criminal records – IGP

    2015: Police will bar candidates with criminal records – IGP

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, on Wednesday said the police would bar persons with proven criminal records from contesting in the 2015 general election.

    Abba said the police would do this in collaboration with Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    “When it comes to screening, we will collaborate with our colleagues especially the Directorate of State Security to ensure that candidates with criminal records are not allowed to contest,” the IGP said during a meeting with top police officers in Abuja.

    He stated that the Force has made adequate arrangements to safe guard the electorates during and after the election.

    He also linked the recent attack on a police station in Kogi State to criminal activities, saying such is common during the “ember’” months.

     

  • IGP redeploys 32 Commissioners of Police

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered the redeployment of 32 Commissioners of Police to various formations across the country.

    The affected officers and their new postings are – Ibrahim K. Idris, Police Mobile Force (PMF); Pius Imue, (Department of Logistic & Supply); Felix Ogundeji, Police  Mobile Force (PMF) Training; Hilda Ibifuro-Harrison, Port-Authority Police (PAP) (Western Port); and Michael Ogbodu, Homicide FCID, Abuja.

    Others are – B. T. M. Sobulo, Commandant, Police College, Ikeja (PCI); Ekechukwu Nwodibo, Legal, FCID, FHQ Abuja; Etop John James, Community Policing, FHQ, Abuja; Joshak Habila, Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), FHQ Abuja; and Damilola Samuel Adegbuyi, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), FHQ, Abuja.

    Also affected are – Rasheed Olatunde Akintunde, Intelligence, FIB FHQ, Abuja; Istifanus Shettima, Commandant, Police College Maiduguri (PCM); Jimoh Omeiza Ozi-Obeh, Commandant, Police College Kaduna (PCK); Ghazali Mohammed, Election Planning & Monitoring, FHQ, Abuja; and Peace Ibekwe Abdallah, IGP Monitoring Unit, FHQ, Abuja.

    Others similarly deployed include -Augustine Evbakhabokun, Federal SARS (FSARS); Adekunle Oladunjoye, Admin, Department of Finance & Administration, FHQ; Emmanuel Inyang, Courses, Police Staff College, Jos;  Olufemi Oyeleye, Admin. Force CID, Abuja; and Victoria N. Menta , CP  Communication.

    Also redeployed are – Ezekiel D. Zang, Airwing; Mohammed K. Mohammed, Deputy Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; Sylvester Umeh, Deputy Force Secretary (DFS), Abuja; Henry Fadairo, Commandant, Police College, Oji-River (PCO); and Mohammed Hussein, Deputy Commandant, Police Academy (POLAC), Kano.

    Others are – Sherifat Disu-Olakoju, CCR, Force CID, Annex, Lagos; Salisu Fagge Abdullahi, Special Protection Unit (SPU), FHQ Abuja; Aminchi Samaila Baraya, Inspectorate-Training; Fatai A. Owoseni, Admin, Department of Operations, FHQ, Abuja; Emmanuel Ibine, Provost, FHQ, Abuja; Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, Interpol, Force CID, Abuja; and Murtala Mani, Welfare, Department of Finance & Administration, FHQ.

    A statement issued on Tuesday by Force spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the redeployments were geared towards enhanced administrative and operational effectiveness of the Force.

    Ojukwu added that the redeployments take immediate effect.

  • IGP orders investigation into his death

    IGP orders investigation into his death

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has ordered an investigation into the death of veteran journalist, Pastor Dimgba Igwe.

    He was killed by a yet- to-be apprehended hit-and-run driver last Saturday morning in Okota, Lagos.

    A statement yesterday by the Force spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu assured that the police would ensure the arrest of the killer-driver.

    The statement conveyed Abba’s condolences to the  deceased’s family, the management and workers of Sun Publishing Ltd and the nation.

    “While recalling the many worthy contributions of the late journalist to nation building, the IGP expressed deep regrets on the death of the journalist, who until his death, was the Vice- Chairman of the Sun Newspapers.

    “He noted that Igwe’s death is regrettably coming at a time when his highly cerebral ideas and ingenuity are needed in the country,” the statement added.

     

  • Lagos, Oyo, FCT, 18 others get new commissioners of police

    Lagos, Oyo, FCT, 18 others get new commissioners of police

    The Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has approved the posting of new Commissioners of Police for 21 states.

    The new commissioners and their various states are – Usman Yakubu ( Nasarawa); Isaac Gabriel Achong (Akwa Ibom); Paul Okafor (Kogi); Hyancith Dagala (Benue); Idris Faruk Umar (Jigawa); Salihu Garba (Kwara); A. K. Shodipo (Oyo); Abubakar Marafa (Osun); Clement Adoda (Borno); and Kayode Aderanti (Lagos).

    Others are – Usman Baba (Delta); Dan Bature (Rivers); Karma Hosea Hassan (Anambra); Titilayo Busari (Cross River); Valentine Ntomchukwu (Bayelsa); Frederick Lakanu (Ekiti); Ademola Omole (Taraba); Olusola Emmanuel Amore (Niger); Adejoh Gabriel Adaji (Adamawa); Ishaku Barau (Kebbi); and Wilson Inalegwu (FCT).

    A statement issued on Monday by the Force spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the exercise was in line with the determination of the police authorities to reposition the Force for improved service delivery.

  • Acting IGP’s sweet talk

    Acting IGP’s sweet talk

    Perhaps as expected, survival must have been on the mind of the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, as he took over from Mohammed Abubakar who retired on July 31 after two years in the saddle and a 35-year career. So, it was unsurprising that he had good words for the Goodluck Jonathan presidency, despite that the administration is poorly rated in the critical area of security.

    The 55-year-old Acting IGP, in his maiden address to men and officers of the Force in Abuja, said: “Of all reforms embarked upon by the past governments, it is only that of the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration that is working. We have seen the seven city programmes with the necessary equipment; we have seen tens of helicopters and other facilities in place.”

    Abba’s flattering picture of the Jonathan government is understandable, considering that he is working in acting capacity and must be hoping and praying that the qualification reflecting temporariness would sooner or later be removed from his designation. Or what else could explain his apparent selective perception? Was Abba speaking about the same police force that is empirically regarded as scandalously ill-equipped? Besides, how have the so-called “necessary equipment” and “other facilities” translated into security success? It is noteworthy that Abba unwittingly highlighted security failure when he said: “The recent upsurge in security challenges will have my full attention.”

    Still pursuing the path of sycophancy, he declared: “In consonance with the President’s Transformation Agenda, I will develop and implement constructive policing strategies for the maintenance of a stable democracy and economic growth.” Maybe he needs to be told that the country’s transformation under the Jonathan administration has been in the negative direction, as it continues to endanger democracy and threaten economic growth. Hardball is a witness to the abuse of the police and security agencies by the powers that be, particularly the use of these organisations for non-professional and politically- motivated purposes.

    It is worth mentioning that all eyes will be on the role of the police in the August 9 governorship election in Osun State; and beyond that, in the 2015 general elections. In other words, among the challenges he will have to tackle, Abba will need to prove his professionalism as the police helmsman and demonstrate that he can operate outside the sphere of political influence in the electoral context.

    Hopefully, Abba was not just being theoretical when he referred to the vexed question of police reform.  He said: “It is not the fault of those implementing or those that sat down and wrote the reform programmes. It is because one thing is missing, attitudinal change; the absence of attitudinal change in the Force is why the reforms are not effective.” With all due respect, he sounded repetitive as the issue of “attitudinal change” was at the heart of the ceremonious launch of a 20-page booklet known as “Nigeria Police Code of Conduct” in January 2013.

    The implication that Abba will devote his tenure to achieving “attitudinal change” in the police force needs to be properly contextualised. If there are no complicating factors and he transcends the acting capacity to become the substantive IGP, he is expected to retire in March 2019. So, Hardball appreciates why his maiden speech was full of sweet talk, the type that will possibly please those who have the power to keep him in office.

     

  • Stay away from Osun, acting IGP warns ‘trouble makers’

    Stay away from Osun, acting IGP warns ‘trouble makers’

    The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Suleiman Abba, has warned those he said may intend to cause trouble in Osun State to stay away from Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

    Abba addressed State House correspondents yesterday after a meeting with Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa in Abuja

    He said only people who have official functions to perform in the state would be allowed to move freely within Osun during the election.

    To ensure peace in the state, the police chief said he had changed the operational guidelines of his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar, who retired last week.

    Abba said the new operational guideline would ensure that his men get to Osun State on time to prepare for the election.