President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Usman Alkali Baba as acting Inspector General of Police, with immediate effect.
President Buhari had on February 4 extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for three months.
Adamu has so far spent two months and three days since the extension of tenure was announced.
Baba, whose appointment is with immediate effect, is to assume the role in an acting capacity, pending his confirmation by the National Council of State as a substantive Inspector General of Police.
Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi revealed this to State House Correspondents.
He said Baba was selected based on merit, from a pool of Assistant and Deputy Inspectors General shortlisted for the post.
According to Dingyadi: “The tenure of the IGP Mohammed Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by Mr. President to enable a detailed process of appointing a new IGP, in line with section 15 (A) of the Nigerian Constitution.
“After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible for appointment as IGP, 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, Mr. President has approved the appointment of an acting IGP, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, PSE, FDC, with immediate effect. “
The Minister added that the appointment was in line with President Buhari’s determination to urgently address the security challenges troubling some parts of the country.
“These changes are in line with the determination of Mr. President to rejig the security architecture of the country, to ensure that the security challenges bedevilling the nation are brought to an end.
“Mr. President has therefore charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policies of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.
Dingyadi told Journalists that President Buhari thanked the outgoing IGP, Mohammed Adamu for his service to the nation.
“Mr. President thanks the outgoing IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure. He wished him all the best in his future endeavours,” he said.
On why Adamu was not allowed to complete the three months extension of his tenure, the Minister said it was the President’s prerogative to decide Adamu’s fate.
He said,“Mr. 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. Thank you.”
The new Police boss was born on 1st March, 1963 in Gaidam, Yobe State, North-East Nigeria.
He enlisted into the Nigeria Police on 15th March, 1988. He was until his appointment a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Baba holds a Teacher’s Grade II Certificate (TC II) from Teachers College, Potiskum, Yobe State in 1980.
He obtained a BA (ED) Political Science from Bayero University, Kano in 1985.
The Acting IGP also has a Masters Degree in Public Administration (MPA), which he obtained from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State in 1997.
Dominica Nwabufo
