Since the inception of the immediate past Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar, there has been lopsided and biased promotion based on nepotism, favoritism and god-fatherism. It was during the then chairman of Police Service Commission, DIG Parry B. Osayande (rtd), that officers were promoted not based on merit but on bribery. The current IG was also a beneficiary of such promotion where his god father MD Abubakar ensured he made the list of CPs to be promoted to AIG. The current IG (Suleiman Abba) as at January 2012 was not due for promotion because there were several officers above him in the staff list. The promotion was not actually done in accordance with the usual practice of seniority and merit.
This is actually the first time in the history of Nigeria Police where a serving IG will ensure his stooge or godson is appointed as IGP. The IG has never been a DPO or DCO which is the primary stage and important perquisite for being appointed IGP. As a DPO, you are exposed to solving criminal matters, traffic control, administrative duties as well as operational patrols. Without this background, how can he know what to do or action to carryout in case of criminality and terrorism?
IGP Abba as a commissioner of police has only served in one state therefore experience is lacking based on the current security challenges bedeviling this great nation. He served as a CP in Rivers State for 2 years and deputy force secretary only. Is this the kind of leader that Nigeria Police deserve? A nation that is ravaged by insecurity and terrorism requires stringent approach and a leader that understands the current state of insecurity. The current IGP has never served in Yobe, Borno or Adamawa for him to have a basic experience of the problems facing the nation.
A major shocker on the IGP appointment was the escape of three high profile Boko Haram suspects under his custody when he was AIG in charge of zone 7. The incident happened on the night of Eid-el-Fitr July 28, 2014 on a rainy night when policemen on duty were all asleep and failed to live up to their responsibility.
How can a man with a tainted past like this be appointed IGP. What is the basis for his appointment? Is it competence? Is it experience? Is it educational qualification? All these qualities are lacking and a lay man does not need a lens to know that the IGP should never have been appointed based on these facts. The appointment is evidence of god-fatherism. As a nation, there is need to eradicate and dismantle this ugly trend.
Recently, the police mobile training camp at Gwoza was attacked and over 100 policemen were missing due to the negligence of the IGP and commandant of the college. They lack both administrative and operational capacities to protect policemen and Nigerians from attacks by insurgents. The image of Nigeria has dwindled over the last four years.
In conclusion, was the appointment of the force scribe not rescinded by the Police Service Commission after publications in national dailies and on electronics media? God bless Nigeria!
Joachim Istifanus,
Abuja
