Alkali emerges new IGP as gunmen hit another Imo police station, troops ambushed in Benue, 2 soldiers missing

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali as the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect, Minister of Police Affairs, Mr Maigari Dingyadi, said Tuesday.

The appointment came on a day gunmen continued their reign of violence, hitting yet another police station in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

The gunmen had Monday attacked the National Correctional Service (NCoS) and the state police command in Owerri, with the Police high command ordering that perpetrators be brought to justice.

 During the attack some 1,844 inmates were freed by the hoodlums and over 50 vehicles burnt.

Alkali unveiled

Unveiling Alkai as the acting IGP, the minister told State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that the appointment was in line with the president’s determination to rejig the country’s security architecture and ensure the current security challenges were brought to an end. 

Dingyadi quoted the president as charging the acting IGP to rise to the challenge  and ensure  the policing reform policies of the present administration were fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

The minister said the tenure of the outgoing IGP Mohammed Adamu was extended by three months to give room for the proper selection of a successor. 

“The tenure of the IGP Mohammed Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by Mr. President to enable a detailed process of appointing a new IGP, in line with Section 15 (A) of the 1999 Constitution. 

“After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as IGP, in line with Section 7, subsection 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020), and having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service and competence, Mr. President has approved the appointment of an acting IGP, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, PSE, FDC, with immediate effect. 

“These changes are in line with the determination of Mr. President to rejig the security architecture country, to ensure that the security challenges bedevilling the nation are brought to an end. 

“The president has therefore charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

“The president thanks the outgoing IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure.

He wished him all the best in his future endeavours,” he said.

Asked why the president didn’t allow the outgoing IGP to enjoy the three months’ tenure extension, the minister said: “Mr. President is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; he’s the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures. He has now decided to appoint a new person. So please allow him that responsibility and we cannot do anything about it.”

The new IGP

Born March 1, 1963, Alkali has a Masters Degree in Public Administration from University of Maiduguri, Borno state, and Bachelors of Art Degree in Political Science from Bayero University Kano, Kano state. 

He joined the Nigerian Police Force in March 1988, and rose through the ranks to the position of DIG.

The new police helmsman is a member of the International Association of  Chiefs of Police (IACP) and a fellow of the International War College.

He has attended 13 professional national and international courses and workshops.

The new acting IGP’s policing vision is: “To enhance police primacy in Nigeria through the provision of a motivational and credible leadership driven by professional knowledge, ethics, emotional intelligence tools, and strategic planning and operational models that are directed at stabilizing internal security and modernizing police operations, facilities and standards within the framework of citizens consent, trust, and rule of law.”

Imo Police facility attacked

Meanwhile, in yet another attack under 48 hours, gunmen burnt down the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ehime, Mbano local government area of Imo state. 

 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the outgoing IGP Adamu as well as the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola visited the state Tuesday to inspect the level of damage on the security facilities.

But a few hours after their arrival in the state, the gunmen struck.

Meanwhile, the number of inmates in the Owerri Correctional Centre has increased to 56 from 41, with 15 inmates returning to the centre voluntarily.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Centre, J.C. Madugba who dropped the information, expressed optimism that more would come back in the next few days.

Kaduna

 In a related development, gunmen have killed eight people and injured four others in separate attacks in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas of Kaduna state.

Kaduna state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan said in a statement that the attacks took place around Kadanye village in Kajuru local government area and Inlowo village in Kachia local government area.

He said: “On a sad note, security agencies have reported the killing of eight persons in separate incidents in Kajuru and Kachia local government areas.

“In one incident, armed bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road around Kadanye village in Kajuru LGA, and opened fire on a bus, as well as a truck carrying firewood. Five people were killed in the attack, listed as: Alfred Makinde (the driver of the bus), Abdulrahman Dela, Dauda Adamu, Umar Dauda and Abdulrasheed Musa 

“Three persons were injured, and are currently receiving treatment in hospital. They are: Murtala Ibrahim, Ali Manager and Abdullahi (full name unknown).

“Similarly, armed bandits barricaded the Kaduna-Kachia road at the Doka axis of Kajuru LGA and shot at a truck, killing the driver. Any further details received on casualties will be communicated to the citizenry. 

“Furthermore, in Kachia LGA, armed bandits invaded a herders settlement in Inlowo village, and killed one Ibrahim Alhaji Haruna, before carting away 180 cows. 

“At Akilbu village in Kachia LGA, armed bandits shot at a vehicle, injuring two persons, Mansur Ibrahim and Muhammadu Aminu. Mansur Ibrahim later died in hospital while Muhammadu Aminu continues to receive treatment.  

“Governor Nasir el-Rufai noted the reports with sadness, and sent condolences to the families of the deceased, while praying for the repose of their souls. He also wished the injured a quick recovery. 

“The security agencies are presently conducting operations at identified locations in the general area. The government will make details public on the receipt of operational feedback,” Aruwan said. 

Troops ambushed in Benue

Similarly, two soldiers were reportedly missing after bandits ambushed troops on patrol at Bonta in Konshisha local government area of Benue state.
This is even as troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) were Tuesday said to be on the trail of the suspected armed bandits who ambushed the soldiers.
Blueprint learnt that the soldiers Monday afternoon were on routine patrol in Bonta and Ukpute, the warring communities of Konshisha and Oju local government areas  of the state, when they came under severe  attack at about 5pm.

It was further gathered from sources in the area that the armed bandits with a gang name “Bonta Tivs” attacked the soldiers for coming to destroy the illegal road blocks they had mounted.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said the soldiers were on patrol around Bonta village when they were ambushed by some armed bandits, who saw the patrol troops coming and suddenly opened fire on them.

However, Blueprint further gathered that the OPWS troops quickly responded to a distress call and swiftly repelled the armed bandits who fled as they could not withstand the superior  firepower of the troops.
“When it happened, we immediately alerted members of Operation Whirl Stroke, who responded swiftly, but before their arrival, the gunmen fled. However, troops of the OPWS who came are already on the trail of the bandits and we pray they are able to rescue the missing soldiers soon.
“The source stated that the OPWS troops slept overnight in Konshisha and they continued with the operation Tuesday.
“I believe this was carried out probably to intimidate the military who are doing a great job in the state,” the source said.

OPWS force commander, Major-General Adeyemi Yekini could not be reached as his phones were all switched off and text messages sent to his cell phone could not be delivered as at the time of filing this report.

About Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Chizoba Ogbeche, Abuja, Chidiebere Iwuoha, Owerri, AbdulRaheem Aodu, Kaduna and John Shiaondo, Makurdi

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