Nigerians Inspector General (IGP) of Police, Mohammed Adamu on Tuesday was relieved of his duty while Usman Alkali takes over as acting IGP.

It was gathered that Adamu was in Owerri Imo state on assignment, inspecting the recent prison break which happened on Monday, when his removal as IGO was announced at the State House in Abuja. His retirement was "with immediate effect"

You recall Owerri Correctional Centre and Imo State Police Command Headquarters was attacked by unknown gunmen in the early hours of Monday. An incident led to the escaped of 1,844 inmates, looting of armoury and burning 38 vehicles.

The former IGP believed, the members of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) are responsible for the attack.

It was the height of attacks on police station and the killing of policemen in the region.

However, Adamu tenure as IGP had ended on February 1st 2021 but was extended by Buhari for an additional three months - to end on May 1st. The extension is contrary to the provisions of the Police Act 2020, which in Section 7 (6) fixes a single term of four years without an option of extension of tenure for the holder of the office of the Inspector-General of Police.

A source told The Nation that the embarrassing situation might have been the reason for the decision to ask him to go before his new tenure ends.

At the State House in Abuja, Police Affairs Minister, Muhammadu Dingyadi had named Deputy Inspector General(DIG) Usman Alkali Baba as acting IGP.

The minister said: “After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as IGP, in line with Section 7, subsection 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020), and having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service, and competence, Mr President has approved the appointment of an acting IGP, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, with immediate effect.

“These changes are in line with the determination of Mr President to rejig the security architecture of the country, to ensure that the security challenges bedevilling the nation are brought to an end.

“Mr President has therefore charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration is fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police to perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Mr President thanks the outgoing IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure. He wished him all the best in his future endeavour.”

Responding to why Buhari did not allow Adamu to complete his new tenure, Dingyadi said: “Mr President is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; he’s the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures.

“He has now decided to appoint a new person. So, please allow him that responsibility, and we cannot do anything about it.”

WHAT YOU SHOD KNOW ABOUT USMAN ALKALI BABA

Baba was born in 1963. He joined the Police in March 1988.

He has a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), Borno State and BA (ED) Political Science from Bayero University, Kano (BUK) in Kano State.

The Yobe State-born Police boss will retire on March 1, 2023.

A fellow of the National Defence College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Alkali has attended several professional courses/workshops.

The Yobe-born police officer has held several strategic positions in the past.

These include Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone-5 Benin, Zone-4 Makurdi, Zone-7 Abuja, Commissioner of Police FCT and Delta Commands amongst others.

Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni thanked President Buhari for finding Alkali worthy of the appointment as IGP. He also congratulated the new police boss.