President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Usman Baba as Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).
The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, confirmed the development when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said that the appointment was with immediate effect.
Buhari, had, on February 4 extended the tenure of Mohammed Adamu as the Inspector General of Police for three months, but Adamu spent two months and three days during the extended period.
But according to Dingyadi, the three-month tenure extension granted to Adamu was terminated following completion of selection process for a new IG.
Reacting to why the President did not allow the outgoing IG to complete the three months of his job extension, the minister: “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.
ALSO READ: Imo attacks: FG will beef up security at prisons, police formations — Osinbajo
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 Mohammed 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.
The minister quoted the president as thanking the outgoing I-G, Mohammed Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure.
“He wished him all the best in his future endeavours.”
