Disquiet at Force headquarters over IG’s exit

There were mixed feelings on Monday at Louis Edet House, Force headquarters, Abuja over the exit of the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.

Some officers of the Force while discussing the issue at the main entrance of the building said there would be constitutional crisis if the present occupant stayed beyond 12 am midnight.

• Persons to watch: Top officers to replace Adamu as IGP
• Presidency reacts to ‘appointment’ of new IGP

It was learnt that the present occupant was in the office today to tidy-up his office and some crucial documents.

Our correspondent observed that the designated park for the IGP at the premises was filled up with his details.

A police Sergeant, who was at the premises said, “By now, we are supposed to have known our new boss instead of keeping us waiting for nothing. I pray the next administration favours us”.

Another officer said, “Presidency should please stop putting us on suspense. Though, I know some of our Ogas have known the new IGP but they should make the announcement quickly.”

Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, a top officer who did not want his name in print, said a Deputy-Inspector of Police with name Moses had earlier been favoured but the list was rejected.

He said the decision-makers, however, extended the rank in selection of new IG to the rank Commissioner of Police.

According to him, “I can only confirm to you that DIG Moses was earlier chosen to be IG but I don’t know why the list of nominees was extended to the rank of Commissioner.”

Efforts to get reactions from spokesperson of the force, Frank Mba, were unsuccessful as calls to his mobile phone were declined.

Speaking earlier in the day on Channels Television’s morning show: ‘Sunrise Daily’, Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu said he was not aware of the planned announcement of a new IG.

According to him, no date was slated for the announcement, insisting that there would be no vacuum in the leadership of the force.

“The President returns to Abuja on Tuesday from his trip. He should be on his desk by Wednesday. I don’t know when he will do this. One thing I can assure you is that in places sensitive like that, there is no vacuum that will subsist, so the system will take care of itself,”

Shehu dismissed insinuations from various quarters that the next appointment would be based on ethnicity.

He stated, “The President will rather have an Inspector-General of Police who will make you and I safer, protect life and property than one who is more pronounced by his tribal marks.”