24Hrs After Attaining Retirement, IGP Adamu Welcomes Buhari From Katsina

About 24 hours after the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Muhammed Adamu, attained the statutory maximum number years in service, he still performed official duties of the police chief on Tuesday. 

Despite rumours of his replacement, Adamu was reportedly present at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari on his return from Katsina State.

The amended Police Act, signed into law by the President in 2020 stipulates the retirement age of police officers at 60 years, or 35 years of service.

Adamu who took over from Ibrahim Idris in January 2019, was enlisted into service February 1, 1986, and was said to have attained the maximum 35 years allowed in service on Monday.

By reason of provisions of the law, Adamu ceased to remain police IG on Monday. 

Although controversies have rocked the appointment of a new IGP, President Buhari’s silence and the recent promotion of some senior officers to AIGs and DIGs have left Nigerians puzzling on who and from what geopolitical zone a new police boss would be chosen from. 

Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu had noted that the appointment will neither be based on religion or ethnicity, but capacity, regardless of claims that a geopolitical zone had been marginalized in the appointment of the country’s security chiefs. 

“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,” he said.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of alleged lobbying for tenure elongation for the current IGP,  but which observers have said contradicts a law recently signed by the President. 

Part 111 Section 7 (6) of the amended Police Act says:

“The person to be appointed as Inspector-General of Police shall be a senior police officer not below the rank of an AIG of police with the requisite academic qualification of not less than a first degree or its equivalent in addition to professional and management experience”.

Against this backdrop, only officials within the cadre of the Deputy Inspector-General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspector-General (AIGs) will be eligible for the appointment.

Also, Section 18 (8) states:

“Every Police officer shall on recruitment, or appointment, serve the Nigeria Police Force for a period of 35 years or until he attains the age of 60 years whichever is earlier”.

Given these provisions, police records show that none of the six DIGs representing the six geopolitical zones in the police management structure is eligible for appointment as IGP.

According to the record, two of the DIGs: Celestine Okoye (South-East) and Lawal Shehu (North-West) were due for retirement in December 2020.

While Aminchi Samaila Baraya (North-East); Anthony Ogbizi Michael (South-South) and Adeleye Olusola (South-West) will retire alongside IGP Mohammed Adamu (North-Central) in February 2021.

With their retirement, the eligible DIGs are Sanusi Lemu, Usman Baba, David Folayiwo, Joseph Egbunike and Moses Jitoboh.

There are strong indications, however, that DIG Moses Jitoboh may best suit the position as he is the youngest and has over eight years left in the service. He is due to retire in 2029.

Also, over 20 AIGs stand a chance of being appointed by the president and they include:

Garba Umar, Bello Sadiq, Illiyasu Ahmed, Dibal Yakadi, Zaki Ahmed, HH Karma, Baba Tijjani, Hafiz Inuwa, Lawal Ado, Austin Abonlahor and Isaac Akinmoyede.

Others are Dan Bature, Awuna Donald, Uba Kura, Johnson Kokumo, Zana Ibrahim, Murtala Usman, Maurice Abimbola, Bala Zama, Basen Dapiya, Haruna Mshelia, Aishatu Abubakar, Garba Umar, Aminu Pai, Gwandu Abubakar Omolulu Bishi, Ajani Olasupo and Dasuki Galadanci.