Outrage over retirement of 21 AIGs

IT came like a thunderbolt. The shocking news devastated not only the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force but expectant Nigerians. Out of the blue, President Muhamadu Buhari announced the appointment of a seemingly ‘dark horse’, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, as the 19th Inspector-General of Police.

The announcement came amidst speculations over who will eventually emerge as a successor to Solomon Arase after his mandatory 35 years of service to the force. Initially, no fewer than five serving Inspectors-General of Police including some Commissioners of Police were touted as having been screened by the Department of Security Service, DSS.

The chess game: Among those screened were top contenders like AIG’s Bala Hassan, Umaru Manko, Olufemi Adenaike, Johnson Ogunshaki and Adrenele Shinaba. In fact, rumour mill had it that while the prominent Nigerians pleaded the case of tested AIG Umaru Manko, said to be a blue blood and possible occupant of the exalted emirship of his emirate in Adamawa State after retirement, AIG Aderenle Shinaba, was reportedly presented by APC stalwarts from the South West.

the National Coordinator, Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria, Okechukwu Nwanguma stated; We can’t continue the practice of retiring a huge number of active officers of the rank of AIG and DIG after the country has spent resources training and maintaining them, just because the President prefers a particular officer for appointment as IGP. The professional skills and knowledge they acquired are wasted because they are forced to retire prematurely before their due date or age of retirement. The pre-determined candidate of the President’s choice is promoted two or more ranks just to position him for appointment. His mates are left behind to grudge and grumble. This breeds disenchantment and disloyalty within the force and kills morale and professionalism among those who feel short-changed and left behind by this practice. The appointment of the IGP should not be left alone to the president and his political party to play politics with.

The appointment procedure must be made competitive and transparent so that the most qualified and most competent candidate can emerge.”