I Won’t Let Nigeria Down – Acting IGP, Usman Baba

Baba stated this in his remarks during the handing over ceremony which took place at the Force Headquarters, Abuja on Wednesday.

While thanking God over his appointment, the Ag. IGP harped on national unity, re­spect for human rights, profes­sionalism, among other issues.

According to him, the hand­ing over ceremony marks the formal transfer of leadership of the Nigeria Police Force from the out-going 20th indige­nous IGP Mohammed Abuba­kar Adamu, to his humble self.

He said, “Being appointed to head the largest Police Force in Africa both in terms of per­sonnel profile and operation­al jurisdiction is to me, more than a fulfilment of destiny.

“It is a call to national duty, particularly, at this critical time that our nation is experi­encing increasingly complex and pervasive security threats occasioned by terrorism, ban­ditry, kidnapping, secessionist agitation and sundry highly organised crimes.

“Much as the challenge of leading the Force to address these threats in the shortest possible time frame, restore security order, and return our beloved nation to the path of national unity may appear daunting, I am inspired by the fact that from my exten­sive years of service, I can confidently say that the Ni­geria Police is endowed with some of the finest, courageous and patriotic officers who, un­doubtedly, shall support me to advance the internal security vision of Mr. President.

“I am also encouraged by the fact that the outgoing In­spector General of Police has laid a solid foundation and en­trenched a culture of profes­sional efficiency in the Force.

“These will stimulate me in my capacity as the new Acting Inspector General of Police, to strengthen our strategies and provide the requisite lead­ership that will change the narratives in relation to our operational approach to the current security threats.”

…Promises To Rejig Security Strategies

Earlier, the acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Al­kali Baba, promised to tackle the rising insecurity in the country by rejigging the Force operational strategies.

Baba, who acknowledged that he was inheriting enor­mous security challenges after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had decorated him with his new rank, said, “I came in at a very challenging time. I know it. I recognise it, and I will work on how to improve from where my predecessor left off.

“I have been a member of the management team. We have tried to do our best, but it’s not enough. There is room for improvement. Definitely, we are going to rejig our oper­ational strategies.”

President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Tuesday, in a surprise move, approved the appointment of Baba as the acting police boss.

The Minister of Police Af­fairs, Maigari Dingyadi, made the disclosure to newsmen at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he had noted that the appointment was with imme­diate effect.

The acting IGP replaced Mohammed Adamu whose tenure had expired February 1, 2021.

However, President Buhari extended his tenure by anoth­er three months, but this was abruptly terminated by the president on Tuesday.

Until his appointment, Usman was a Deputy Inspec­tor-General (DIG) of Police and will be in acting capacity pending his confirmation by the Senate.

At the ceremony held in the State House, Abuja, Professor Osinbajo charged the new IGP to work towards imple­menting the administration’s community policing policy which has already taken off, in partnership with members of the local communities, so as to ward off criminal threats.

The vice president also challenged the new helmsman to ensure that the highest stan­dard of professional conduct begins to manifest in all the dealings by men and women of the service.

He said: “Under your leader­ship, the Force must live up to all of the highest standards of professional conduct and com­pliance with the rule of law.

“It must significantly im­prove the welfare and working conditions of its officers while rapidly scaling on its forensic, logistical, and operational ca­pacities to meet today’s chal­lenges.

“You must stamp out the ex­cesses and abuses and the cul­ture of impunity demonstrated by some elements of the Force which provoke public outrage against the institution.”

The vice president told the IGP: “You are assuming office at a very turbulent time in the life of our people.