Suleiman Abba Appointed As New Inspector General of Police

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Thursday, July 31st, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the appointment of former Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 7, Suleiman Abba as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Suleiman Abba

Abba succeeds immediate former IGP, Muhammad Abubakar, whose 35 years mandatory service years’ lapsed today.

African Examiner reported on Wednesday that the new IGP was considered alongside five other high ranking police officers and favored at a meeting between the President, the Police Council – comprising the 36 State Governors as well as the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mike Mbama Okiro (IGP, rtd) earlier in the week in Abuja.

The new Police boss whose nomination was met with debate over concentration on his political zone of IGP appointment and marginalization of certain others, choice was favored by the President on account of his two years good working relationship with him in Abuja as AIG in charge of the zone.

Abba has served in several capacities among of which was the Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of State CID, FCT Police Command and ADC to Mrs. Maryam Abacha during her husband’s, General Sani Abacha’s Military junta.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the presidential spokesperson, Rueben Abati reads:

“President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the appointment of AIG Suleiman Abba as the new Inspector-General of Police.

“AIG Abba, currently the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, comprising Abuja, Kaduna and Niger states, replaces the incumbent Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar who proceeds on statutory retirement today having completed 35 years in service.

“The incoming Inspector-General, a lawyer, hails from Jigawa State and is an alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies.

“Positions previously held by him in the Police include Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, FCT Command, Deputy Force Secretary and Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.

“His appointment is with effect from Friday, August 1, 2014.”