Shake-up looms in Police

Posted by admin Latest Politics, Nigerian Police Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Mr. Mohammed Abubakar

Mr. Hafiz Ringim’s retirement and his replacement by Mr. Mohammed Abubakar as the acting Inspector-General of Police has opened doors to an imminent shake-up in the police.

Ringim and his management team of six Deputy Inspectors-General of Police were sent packing last week, ostensibly due to the inability of the police to curtail the growing insecurity in the country.

Our correspondent learnt on Sunday that a number of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police would be promoted to the rank of DIGs to form a new management team led by Abubakar.

The new IG may also announce the transfer of a number of state Commissioners of Police and swap Commanders of the Mobile Police Squadron across the different states to enhance effectiveness.

It was learnt that the Police Service Commission might announce the promotion of the officers this week, with some commissioners promoted to the ranks of Assistant Inspector-General of Police.

It was learnt that officers hoping to be promoted had been waiting anxiously for the announcement from the PSC.

Our correspondent also learnt that many officers, particularly AIGs and commissioners, would be retired to pave the way for the elevation of their juniors.

Sources said a number of Deputy-Commissioners and Chief Superintendents had been pencilled down for promotion to fill the positions of those moving to the ranks of AIGs and commissioners.

One of the senior officers told our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday that he had been praying about the expected promotion.

A PSC Commissioner, Comfort Obi, confirmed that seven AIGs would be promoted to DIGs in the next one or two weeks, adding that a number of commissioners would be elevated.

“The police normally have seven DIGs and so the Police Service Commission will be meeting and within a week or two announce the new DIGs who will form the member of the Police Management Team. Other police officers such as commissioners will also be promoted. You know this exercise has a cumulative effect,” she told our correspondent on the telephone on Sunday.

Obi commended the police reform committee set up by the government last week, describing it as a step in the right direction.

Another member of the PSC, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, explained that the government had no choice but to evolve an effective police force, noting that the setting up of the reform committee should be able to drive the implementations of various commendations of different committees.

He said, “I believe that the reform committee can achieve the reform of the police. Security all over the world is a serious issue and I believe the Federal Government is desirous of having a competent police hence the setting up of the committee.”

-Punchwp_posts