The new IG and national security
February 10, 2012 by Yakubu Dati Leave a Comment

On January 25, 2012, Nigerians got what has been rightly described as a New Year gift with the appointment of Mohammed Abubakar as the new Inspector-General of Police in acting capacity. He replaced Hafiz Ringim, whose retirement had been touted since last year’s attacks on the Force Headquarters and UN building, both in Abuja, and the Christmas Day Madalla church bombings, that killed a lot of people.

Since his appointment, there have been varied opinions, especially as there were some Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, who were his seniors and among whom one should have been picked as the IG. They queried why an AIG should be chosen far above his seniors.

No matter what opinion any section must have had on Abubakar’s appointment, it is now realised that the raison d’être for his appointment lies in the fact that a strong and effective police force leads to improved internal security of the country, which will ultimately translate to protection of lives and property.

This is particularly central to the function of government, especially in the face of daunting security challenges such as those posed by Boko Haram.

It is, perhaps, the need to put a handle on these dire security challenges that informed the appointment of Abubakar, given his antecedents especially during his stint in Lagos State.

He joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Inspector on August 1, 1979 and rose to serve variously as Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigations Departement, Sokoto Police Command; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Federal Operations, Force Headquarters, and Lagos; and, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Airport Police Command, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

He has also served as Police Commissioner in Plateau, Kwara, Abia, Kano, Airport and Lagos State commands. He was later promoted as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and served in Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun States. He was also the AIG Zone 5, Benin comprising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states. He was later posted to Zone 6 comprising Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Ebonyi states. His last posting was AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi State before he was appointed the Inspector General of Police.

Perhaps Abubakar’s most controversial posting was in Plateau in the heat of the 2001 Plateau crisis. It has been the argument that Abubakar was indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Enquiry, which was set up by the State Government. The panel was said to have found Abubakar culpable in the crisis.

But when the argument is carried further many analysts are wont to fault the supposed indictment, especially as there was no official government gazette of the matter. Moreover, government did not take a definitive stand on the indictment, making it appear as neither here nor there.

Again, it is argued that no police commissioner that had served Plateau State after Abubakar had left unscathed, making the command a case for special study. From Innocent Ilozuoke, Joseph Apapa, Kevin Okpoke, Richard Chime, Kayode Ibironke, Samson Wuda, to Greg Ayanting, none of them got much accolades from their service in Plateau, not minding the pedigree of those involved.

Perchance, Abubakar was chosen for his pedigree in crime fighting. It was said that his tenure in Kwara State was remarkable because one could leave his car open and come back to meet all the contents as one left them. It is also a fact that no ordinary CP was posted to Lagos because of its volatility, Abubakar served in Lagos where he had a distinguished career as the commissioner of police.

Apart from his postings in his career, Abubakar has also undergone many courses. He at various times attended the Intermediate Command Course and Senior Command Course at the Police Staff College. He also attended overseas courses such as the General Detective Course – Metropolitan Police, West Hendon, England; General Security Course – Israel; General Security Course – FBI, USA; International Security – England; and the General Detective Course – Scotland Yard

With this pedigree, the question is; can he make the difference? Or will he be more of the same? Can he prove to be that tough cop and how can he bring that to bear on his present assignment? There is no doubt that what is needed to get Nigeria out of the present security mess is a no-nonsense cop, who really knows his onions.

As a cop with keen eyes for details, Abubakar appears well-suited for the job more so as he has been in operational duties up the ladder to his present position. There is no doubt that President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice for IGP can deliver the goods and keep Nigeria safe.

Dati wrote in from 14, Joseph Gomwalk Street, Abuja via: viYaksdati2004@yahoo.co.uk

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