The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, has explained the reason behind the termination of the three-month tenure extension granted to former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Muhammad Adamu.
Dingyadi said that the termination followed the completion of the selection process for a new IGP.
Recall that Dingyadi had earlier announced the appointment of Deputy Inspector- General of Police, DIG, Usman Baba as the new acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP.
Baba’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had on February 4 extended the tenure of Adamu as the IGP for three months.
Adamu, however, spent two months and three days of the extended period.
Explaining why the President did not allow the outgoing IGP to last the three months of his extension, the minister 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.”
Dingyadi explained that the appointment of the acting IGP followed a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs.
The minister informed that all the shortlisted candidates were police officers, eligible for appointment as IGP, in line with Section 7, sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020.
He added, ”The tenure of IGP Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by the President to enable a detailed process of appointing a new IGP, 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 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, the President has approved the appointment of an acting IGP, 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.”
Dingyadi quoted the President as thanking the outgoing IGP, Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure.
He said, ”He wished him all the best in his future endeavours.”
