THE federal government on Tuesday explained that the termination of the three-month tenure elongation granted to outgone Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohamed Adamu, was due to the completion of the selection process for a new Inspector-General of Police.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingyadi, stated this in Abuja on Tuesday. He had earlier on Monday announced the appointment of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Mr Usman Baba as Acting IGP, which he said was with immediate effect.
The outgone IGP Mohamed Adamu had spent two out of out the three-month extension given him by President Muhammadu Buhari before the appointment of Mr Baba.
Reacting to why the President did not allow the outgone IGP to serve out the three-month extension, Alhaji Dingyadi said: “The President is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; he’s the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures.
“He has now decided to appoint a new person. So, please, allow him that responsibility and we cannot do anything about it,” he said.
Dingyadi explained that the appointment of the acting IG followed a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs.
He said all the shortlisted candidates were police officers, eligible for appointment as IG, in line with section 7, sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).
“The tenure of the IG Mohamed Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by the President to enable a detailed process of appointing a new IG in line with Section 15 (A) of the 1999 Constitution.
“After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as IG, in line with section 7, sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).
“And having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service and competence, the President has approved the appointment of an acting IG, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, with immediate effect.
“These changes are in line with the determination of the President to rejig the security architecture and to ensure that the security challenges bedeviling the nation are brought to an end.
“The President has, therefore, charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police to perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.
