Current inspector general of police Solomon Arase is retiring having reached the mandatory age of 60 and President Buhari has decided to bypass the six deputy inspector generals of police by retiring them too. He has double-promoted AIP Idris, naming him acting inspector general pending approval by the Police Service Commission.
Under normal circumstances this would not have raised any eyebrows but the fact that AIG Idris is from northern Nigeria, has led to sharp criticism. Hailing from Kutigi, in Niger State, AID Idris was born on January 15, 1959 but is now the 17th security chief President Buhari has appointed who comes from northern Nigeria, compared with just three from the south of the country.
Following the retirement of Mr Arase, the six deputy inspectors general of Police who served under him were retired yesterday too. They include Dan-Azumi Job Doma, Sotonye Wakama, Ibrahim Mamman Tsafe, Kakwa Christopher Katso, Cynthia Amaju Onu and Jubril Olawale Adeniji.
To make matters worse, 10 assistant inspectors general of police are senior of the new boss, prompting fears that they may be retired too. They include Ibrahim Manko, Patrick Dokumor, Balla Nasarawa, Tambari Mohammed, Bala Hassan, Yahaya Ardo, Musa Daura, Baba Adisa Bolanta, Usman Gwary and Tunde Ogunsakin.
Their status is to be decided by the federal government, as regards who among them would to be appointed deputy inspectors generals of police, or be asked to proceed on retirement. To deflect anger at his latest appointment, President Buhari will have to ensure that the naming of the deputies reflects the six geo-political zones of the country.
President Buhari's spokesman Femi Adesina, said AIG Idris would remain in an acting capacity until he is confirmed by the Police Service Commission. He pointed out that AIG Idris enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and also holds a degree in law from the University of Maiduguri.
Mr Adesina said: "AIG Idris has served in various commands and formations in the Nigerian Police Force, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17years as unit commander, squadron commander, and commandant. He served as commissioner of police in Nasarawa and Kano States and was also the commissioner of police in charge of the Police Mobile Force at force headquarters.
“He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded the Medal of Merit by the president of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service. AIG Idris, who was in charge of operations at the force headquarters before his appointment as the acting inspector-general of police, will act in that capacity, pending his confirmation.”
According the new police boss, the Almajiri system prevalent across northern Nigeria breeds terrorism and it is being driven by foreigners. Yesterday, both he and Mr Arase were hosted by President Buhari at State House.
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