Race against Crime: The President’s Dark Horse

| Aderonke Kehinde |

As the baton was changing from Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar to Suleiman A. Abba, in the race against crime on August 1, the Federal Government set a December deadline for the war on terror.

Abubakar, who had been wrestling with the country’s security problems as Inspector-General of Police (IGP), since January 25, 2012, had to go when the retirement bell rang on July 31 to signal the end of an eventful 35-year-career as a crime fighter. And Abba emerged as President Goodluck Jonathan’s dark horse who, along with other security chiefs, has been mandated to win the war on terror in a record time: FOUR MONTHS.

Like the proverbial Hercules set to clean the Aegean stable, Abba indicated that he was ready, willing, and able to turn the tide in the on-going war on terror, when he made a pledge to Nigerians at his resumption, that he would intensify the fight against crime, which has become an herculean task in a country of 175 million people divided among more than 500 ethnic groups and clans.

He said: “…I am committed to the creation of a safe and secure environment for all the people of Nigeria, by leading the Nigeria Police Force in engineering and participating in endeavours to address the root causes of crime in Nigeria; preventing actions that threaten the safety and security of Nigeria; and conducting diligent criminal investigation to ensure criminals are always brought to justice.”

His predecessor, who the authorities acknowledged had given a good account of himself, also placed his bet on Abba.

Abubakar described the Acting IGP as a very competent and committed officer and assured Nigerians that he would fight a good fight and complete the task of taking the country out of the woods.

Abba, who is the 17th indigenous IGP, hails from Gwaram Local Government Area of Jigawa State. He holds degrees in History and Law and has attended several management and security courses within and outside Nigeria. He is an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.

Police spokesman, Frank Mba, described his boss as an officer with vast experience in criminal investigation, intelligence-led policing, and crime-fighting operations, as he assured Nigerians that the Acting IGP is “ably set to add a new tempo in dealing with the present challenges of terrorism, insurgency and other violent crimes in the country”.

Under Abubakar, Boko Haram’s operational planning had been limited to simple attacks against soft targets in or near its core territory. Although the group, which now uses children as suicide bombers, remains deadly, it appears less capable than it used to be. Several members have been arrested or killed, a number of cells disrupted, and numerous bomb making facilities dismantled.

“I have gained valuable insight and experience to appreciate the challenges the Police and the country are facing,” Abba said.

Until his appointment, Abba was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 comprising the FCT, Kaduna and Niger Police Commands. He enlisted into the Force as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in December, 1984; he was Rivers State Commissioner of Police, 2009 – 2012; Lagos State Commissioner of Police during the 2011 general elections; Deputy Force Secretary, once as a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), then as Commissioner of Police (CP).

He had also served as DCP in Kano (2007 – 2008), DCP in Kebbi (2006 – 2007), the Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to the Head of State, (Office of the First Lady) 1995 – 1998, and the Commanding Officer of both Mobile Police Squadron, Unit 24 (Presidential Escort) and Unit 21, Abuja. He had won several awards and commendations including the National Merit Award.

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