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Thursday, March 28, 2024

As Battle For IGP Abubakar’s Successor Begins

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At the peak of speculations last week over the likelihood of Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar proceeding on terminal leave, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba challenged the media to disclose their sources of information on an alleged presidential directive on the matter. Mba also challenged the press to show him the purported letter from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF also, on the same issue. But the development is not new as most matters of similar nature in government are often shrouded in is termed, “top secret.” However, natural fallout of it is the ensuing jostle to succeed the IGP.

Source within the security circles confirmed that IGP Abubakar had applied to stay on but that since there are other capable officers in the hierarchy of the Force, the president wouldn’t want to show preference or make it look like only Abubakar is qualified for the post.

The second point that counted against the outgoing IGP is that, the present state of security in Nigeria needs new strategy and course, so the president needs a change.

It was gathered that since the presidency is reportedly not willing to extend the tenure of Abubakar whose useful service years expire in June causing the presidency to commence search for a competent police boss who will complement the military in the war against terror that has taken a deadly dimension recently.

Succeeding the IGP Reluctant presidency sources revealed that a new IGP is likely to emerge from the management team of the Force, which comprises seven deputy inspectors general (DIGs) and two assistant inspectors general (AIGs).

The team consists of the seven departmental heads, the Force Secretary and the Inspector General of Police at its head. These are a calibre of persons, who are in tune with the running of affairs of the force and it is believed that any of them can succeed the outgoing IGP Abubakar.

However, there are strong indications that there are only three serious contenders into the race of achieving their dreams as police boss of their beloved country. These include, DIG (Finance and Admin) Suleiman Fakai, DIG (Operation) Mike Zuokumor, and DIG (Investigation) Peter Gana.

The rest of the management team who are also qualified to serve as IGP are DIG (Logistics and Supply,) Emmanuel Kachi Udeoji, DIG (Training,) Atiku Y. Kafur, DIG (ICT,) Jonathan Johnson, Force Secretary, AIG Dan’azumi Job Doma, and Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB,) AIG Solomon Arase.

DIG Fakai Judging from the hierarchy of the Force, the next most senior DIG is the man in charge of finance and administration, the highest administrative organ of the Nigeria Police, DIG Suleiman Fakai, whose responsibilities at the force headquarters has to do with general administration of the NPF; administration of Policies and procedures relating to NPF finance; policy formulation and implementation; among other functions. If it is true then, DIG Fakai, who would be stepping in on the acting capacity, pending the appointment of a substantive police chief, is from Fakai Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

He was born on November 1, 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force on January 1, 1984, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) after obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography from the Bayero University, Kano. Fakai, who is due to retire on January 1, 2019, has served in different police formations, including as Commissioner of Police in Katsina, Osun, Enugu States and the Police Academy, Kano.

He also served as Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Benin, Force Secretary, Zone 2, Lagos, Zone 3, Yola, before he was promoted to the rank of DIG on March 2, 2012. He is married to Hajia Bilikisu and they are blessed with six children.

DIG Zuokumor But second in the hierarchy of the police force is the DIG in charge of operations, DIG Zuokumor Michael. He is said to be the most favoured because of his professional background as head of the Force’s operations. His current responsibilities at the force headquarters are central to all Police operational activities especially in the areas of crime prevention and maintenance of law and order. Besides, his colleagues including most in the rank and file concede to Zuokomor those rare leadership qualities required in modern day policing especially in the developing world.

They easily speak of his loyalty and the rare quality of camaraderie that marks the DIG’s every interaction. He has a duty to plan and organise internal security measures and monitoring their execution; direction and co-ordination of NPF Policies and crime prevention; formation of NPF Policies on traffic control and management, among other duties.

His operational knowledge is in tandem with requirements in stemming insurgency and related insecurity tasks as well as anticipated challenges before, during and even after the forthcoming 2015 general polls.

Beyond the foregoing, another factor that is going for the DIG is the fact that should the current IGP retires as reported in the media, it would mark two successive IGPs from the north of Nigeria. Then it would be the turn of not just a southerner but a professionally qualified one to step in as the new IGP; and the odds favour Zuokomor.

DIG Gana Another thorough police officer is DIG Peter Gana, the man in charge of Investigation, also known as the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). It is the highest investigating arm of the Nigeria Police.

DIG Gana has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute serious and complex criminal cases within and outside the country. He also coordinates crime investigations/prosecution throughout the force.

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