Adamu Emerges Acting IGP As Idris Quits Today

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Abubakar Adamu Mohammed as the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Adamu reportedly got the President’s nod as the new landlord at Loius Edet House from three candidates nominated to replace IGP Ibrahim Idris, who is bowing out of service today after attaining the retirement age of 60.

The Acting IGP’s appointment is expected to arrest agitations from opposition elements that have been up in arms protesting against the speculated elongation of tenure for Idris, who also clocked the statutory 35 years in service. Mr Idris was appointed IGP in June 2016 by President Buhari

Presidency sources hinted that after weeks of shopping for the best hand to handle the portfolio, the President eventually settled for the acting IGP from three names forwarded to him by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Adamu now replaces Idris whose tenure witnessed lots of controversies, especially the regular Police face-off with the National Assembly (NASS) leadership.

According to information on the new top Cop by The Nation newspaper, AIG Adamu is a course mate of Force Secretary, AIG Taiwo Lakanu and former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde.

Until his appointment, the Nasarawa State-born officer was a directing staff member at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State.

Police sources said, like the retiring IGP, Adamu spent many years on peacekeeping mission with the United Nations (UN) and the International Police (INTERPOL).

He will be officially unveiled today (Tuesday) as the acting IGP and the source, who confirmed story, said: “It is true, but the announcement has not been made official. Oga (Idris) retires on Tuesday (today) having clocked 35 years in service.”

The acting IGP once served as Deputy Commissioner in Ekiti State Command, among other postings. He was also a former Commissioner of Police in Enugu State and the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, in Benin, Edo State.

Born on November 9, 1961, he enlisted in the Nigeria Police in 1986 and has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography.

As usual, Adamu’s elevation would automatically means that serving Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) are to be eased out of service since their junior is taking over at the helms of affairs.