“We also agreed to do whatever we can to support the police to provide some resources to complement federal government’s effort to see that the police have all that they need to ensure effective policing of the Nigeria state, so that it can guarantee and ensure protection of lives and property.
“More so that we are approaching elections and naturally this is the peak of political activities and there are security issues that are associated with politicking and electioneering and we all agreed that everything must be done to ensure that this season everybody played according to the rules and that the police do its job dispassionately so that Nigerians can look forward to the elections without fear.”
Speaking on his confirmation, Abba said: “I must tell you this is a happy moment but it is also a moment of sober reflection. Reflection on the responsibilities on expectations, certainly I have to work hard to ensure that I meet up with the expectations of the office.
“Truly, Nigerians and in fact all the people in Nigeria deserve the best from us so that we make the environment safer and secured. I assure you having reflected on all these, we will ensure that we manage all the resources in charge of the Nigerian police, to ensure they are used judiciously for the safety and security of Nigeria.”
Abba is being confirmed as the substantive IG at a time the nation is preparing for the 2015 general elections, a crucial period when Nigerians would choose their leaders. Thus the challenges before the Jigawa-born police chief are numerous. Already, there is controversy trailing the decision of the police force in withdrawing the security details of the number four citizen of the nation. Nigerians also want to see how the IG would handle the electioneering period without being biased towards any political party in the country. They also want to see the police providing necessary security for citizens irrespective of their political affiliations. Importantly, there is the issue of extra judicial killings by the police, which the police boss must tackle.
Reflecting, Otunba Patrick Keku, Board of Trustee, (BoT) Society of Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria urged the new IG to study what his predecessor did and incorporate it in his agenda. “No doubt he has challenges to face. He must look at what his predecessor did and put it into his own agenda. Fortunately, he was part of the former IG’s team.”
On challenges of electioneering period, the security expert said, “He must have witnessed similar situations in the past, he should look at what the former IG did to play safe. These are things we read in the newspapers and happen in other countries. He should adapt to our own situation. He must not be bought over. He will succeed if he faces his work straight as an IG and carry his people along.”
For Keku, there would be “Pressure to do the wishes of the person who appointed him but if carefully done, people will accept it. He will do a good job. But he should carry his people along.”
Before his new appointment, Abba was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states. He resumed office as the acting IGP on August 1 replacing the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar who proceeded on statutory retirement having completed 35 years in service. Abba who joined the police force in March 1984, has held the positions as the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
He is a lawyer and an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.
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