FG Provides Ringim with Soft Landing

Written by This Day Thursday, 26 January 2012

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Hafiz Ringim, has become the first casualty of the escape of Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, from custody.

Ringim, who was appointed IG in September 2010 by President Goodluck Jonathan, was asked yesterday to proceed on “terminal leave” by the president following his failure to satisfactorily explain the disappearance of Sokoto who was believed to be a key figure in the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State.
There has also been an upsurge in Boko Haram attacks, with many calling for the head of the police chief as well as a reorganisation of the security agencies.

Rather than an outright sack though, Ringim was forced to opt for early retirement, two months ahead of schedule.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the move was "first step towards the comprehensive reorganisation and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force to make it more effective and capable of meeting emerging internal security challenges".

In his place comes an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12, Bauchi, Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, who will act as IG pending confirmation by the Police Service Commission (PSC), the statutory body that deals with promotions and retirements in the force.

Abubakar is no stranger to controversy, having been indicted by a judicial panel over sectarian crises in Jos, Plateau State, when he was the state’s police commissioner during the 2001 riots that claimed hundreds of lives.
He was recommended for voluntary retirement or dismissal by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Inquiry, which described him as a “religious fanatic” who took sides during the crisis.

The Federal Government approved the retirement of all Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) with immediate effect.
They are: Mrs. Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, DIG POL 2i/c Force Headquarters, Abuja; Mr. Azubuko J. Udah, DIG Administration (“A” Dept); Mr. Sardauna Abubukar, DIG Training (“E”Dept.); Mr. Audu Abubakar, DIG Operations (“B” Dept); Mr. Saleh Abubakar, DIG Works (“C” Dept.); and Mr. Mohammed A. Yesufu, DIG Planning and Info-Tech (“F”Dept.).

Jonathan has also set up a panel to reform the police force. The Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Parry B.O Osayande, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), will head the committee.
Osayande, it will be recalled, presided over the PSC to rubberstamp the dismissal of former chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, from the police.

PSC, under Osayande, also reinstated Mr. Zakari Biu to the police and promoted him to Commissioner of Police (CP) last year.
Biu is currently on suspension over Sokoto’s escape from under his watch as CP in charge of criminal investigations, Zone 7.
Other members of the Osayande Committee are: Mr. Casmir T. Akagbosu, AIG (rtd.); Mr. Bashir A. Albasu, AIG (rtd.); Major Gen. S.N. Chikwe, rtd.; Prof. S. D. Mukoro; Dr. Fabian Ajogwu; Aisha Larai Tukur; Solicitor General of the Federation, while Permanent Secretary, SSO, Office of the SGF, will serve as the Secretary to the committee.

The committee’s terms of reference are to identify the challenges and factors militating against effective performance in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and make recommendations for addressing the challenges.

They are also to examine the scope and standard of training and other personnel development activities in the police to determine their adequacy or otherwise, determine the general and specific causes of the collapse of public confidence in the police and recommend ways of restoring public trust in the institution.

Others include to examine records of performance of officers and men of the NPF with a view to identifying those that can no longer fit into the system due to declining productivity, age, indiscipline, corruption and/or disloyalty, and to make any other recommendations for the improvement of the force.

Abati said the committee’s recommendations “shall be implemented along with those by previous committees set up by government on the reform of the police”.

Ringim took over from Ogbonna Onovo on September 8, 2010 and was due to retire from the force after completing his 35 years mandatory period of service on March 1, 2012.

The 15th indigenous IG was seen at the Force Headquarters yesterday evening around 6.30 with a few bags containing his personal effects, before his entourage drove out of the place on high speed.
The Acting IG is expected to resume today.