Jonathan appoints Suleiman Abba as new Police Chief

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday appointed Suleiman Abba, as the new Inspector General of Police. This was confirmed by presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati.

“New IGP Abba replaces IGP Abubakar who proceeds on statutory retirement. IGP Abba’s appointment is with effect from August 1, 2014,” Mr. Abati said.

Mr. Abba’s appointment comes after the retirement of his predecessor, Mohammed Abubakar, who retires after 35 years of public service. Mr. Abubakar’s tenure as police chief would be remembered for the official removal of road blocks which police officers used in extorting motorists.

Mr. Abubakar on resumption of duty in 2012 ordered that all road blocks across Nigeria be dismantled, although some were still (illegally) maintained.

The new police chief, Mr. Abba, was until his appointment an Assistant Inspector General, AIG, in charge of Zone 7 command. He was also a former Aide-De-Camp, ADC, to the wife of a former military Head of State, Maryam Abacha. On Tuesday, speculations emerged that Mr. Abba had been selected by Mr. Jonathan and the Police Council which consists of governors of various states across Nigeria and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro.

Some people had argued that appointing Mr. Abba as the new IGP would raise concerns because he was from the same zone as his predecessor. Mr. Abba is 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 –