IGP Adamu Abubakar Unfolds Agenda, Stalls Lagos CP Handover, Appoints Mba as Image Maker
The Oasis Reporters
January 17, 2019
The newly appointed Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has wasted no time in setting his agenda. He has promised to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges in the country while addressing journalists shortly after his appointment on Tuesday.
“I’d like to thank Mr President for considering me worthy to be the next Inspector General of Police and we know there are security challenges that we need to tackle in the country.
“We have issues of kidnapping, abduction and other security challenges and we are going to re-strategise from the strategy the former Inspector General has put in place and we will make sure that we tackle the challenges head on,” he said.
When asked if the police will remain partisan in the coming general elections, Adamu said: “We are professionals, we are going to stick by the rules and we’re going to do the right thing.
“You’ve heard from the former Inspector General of Police that adequate arrangements have been made to make sure that free, fair and credible elections take place in Nigeria and we are going to build on the strategies put in place”.
Mr Adamu’s appointment lays to rest, the controversy surrounding the retirement of the former IGP Ibrahim Idris as there were speculations that President Buhari might extend his tenure.
The Force Public Relations Officer Jimoh Moshood also announced the development in a statement on Tuesday, saying President Buhari had asked Mr Idris to hand over to Mr Adamu following his retirement from service.
Mr Idris turned 60 years old, January 15.
Jimoh Moshood’s announcement turned out to be his last major assignment before his replacement as Force Public Relations Officer was made.
The acting Inspector General of Police, Adamu Mohammed, swiftly appointed
Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police as new spokesman for the Nigeria Police Force.
He takes over from Moshood Jimoh, an acting Deputy Commissioner of Police who has been redeployed to ‘other national assignment’.
Until his appointment, Mr Mba was working at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi- Lagos.
The posting is with immediate effect.
Mr Mba, a lawyer, is an alumnus of the University of Lagos where he studied Law.
He also has a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Dundee, Scotland- United Kingdom.
A product of the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, where he had his initial police training, he is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy, Quantico- USA.
He also holds a Certificate in National and International Security from the Harvard University, USA.
He is a former federal police spokesperson.
“A former police spokesman- both at the national and the Lagos State Command levels, he is an experienced communicator and image maker. The new Inspector General of Police has therefore charged him to bring his wealth of experience to bear in revamping the image of the Force, improving the relationship between the citizens and the police, bridging existing communication gap between the police and its stakeholders, and assisting the IGP in realising his Mission and Vision for the Force and the nation,” a statement from Force headquarters noted.
“A passionate and versatile police officer who has worked in multiple police units and departments across the country, Frank has attended some of the finest Law Enforcement trainings, both within and outside Nigeria.
“These include:Countering Violent Extremism and Police Leadership Course at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), Roswell, New Mexico, USA (2018); Strategic Leadership and Command Course, Police Staff College, Jos (2017); Crisis and Disaster Management Course, Israel (2013); Managing the Media in Crisis Situations, School of Media and Communications, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos (2013); US-sponsored International Visitor Leadership Program, with special focus on International Crime Issues, Washington DC (2010); General Criminal Investigation Course at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), Botswana (2009); Middle Management Course on Global Peace Operations in Vicenza, Italy (2008); amongst others.
“He was a member of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia between 2006 and 2007, where he distinguished himself through a combination of hard work, professionalism, and discipline, thereby earning himself the prestigious UN Medal. He has since assumed duty as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Force Headquarters, Abuja,” the statement added.
Image credit: Punch.
Another significant act of the new IGP was in promptly stopping the change of baton at the Lagos Commissioner of Police office. Egbetokun was to take over from Mr. Imohinmi.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, on Tuesday, said he had been stopped by the police headquarters in Abuja from handing over to the recently-appointed acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Edgal, who had invited journalists on Tuesday to witness his handover to his successor, said they were about concluding the process when they received a directive from Abuja to suspend the action.
Edgal had been redeployed to Abuja to resume as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Explosive Ordnance Unit at the Force Headquarters, and that Egbetokun had replaced him in acting capacity.
The CP, while addressing journalists in the presence of Egbetokun at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters, said, “I am sure that you know Mr Kayode Egbetokun; he is an old-timer in the command.
“You all know that our first job is about order and direction; we were about concluding the handing and taking over procedure when we were instructed by our bosses from Abuja to suspend action for now. So, there will be no change of guard for now. Of course, we would keep the press briefed about any development.
“But I am happy, humbled that you find it serious enough for you all to come to witness what we are doing here. I consider it an honour.”
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, in a statement on Tuesday, said Edgal remained the CP of Lagos State, based on the directives of the IGP.
Oti said, “The Inspector General of Police has graciously suspended the planned redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Imohimi Edgal, from the command.”
Egbetokun was said to have been attached to Lagos Numéro uno politician, Bola Ahmed Tinubu as ADC while he was governor of Lagos state. Posting him back to Lagos at an election sensitive period by the former IGP was looked upon with great suspicion by the opposition parties in Lagos State.
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