Ringim to retain job till retirement in March.
President Goodluck Jonathan may have decided not to relieve the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, of his appointment, despite widespread speculation, last week, that the IGP was on his way out.
Speculation that Ringim might be sacked heightened after the IG was issued a query asking him to explain the escape of Boko Haram suspect, Kabir Sokoto.
Sokoto, suspected to have masterminded the Christmas Day bombing at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, escaped from Police custody last Monday, 24 hours after his arrest.
Ringim enjoys a very close personal relationship with the President as he was the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State at a time the President was the Governor of the state.
Critics have said that insecurity has worsened under the IGP and the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has largely operated unchecked.
There was strong pressure on Jonathan to sack Ringim, under whose tenure the Boko Haram had bombed a string of high profile targets including the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the United Nations Office complex.
However, the Presidency had decided that Ringim should keep his job as he was bound to retire in March as it is said to be working on a plan for a ‘dignified’ exit for the IGP.
Some of those who lobbied for Ringim to be retained reportedly told the President to allow him to finish his term in March.
The lobbyists, who also copmprised some aides of the President, claimed that the saking of the IGP could create problems for the President with the “North.
There is pressure everywhere to relieve the IG of his job. But for now, no decision has been taken on the man.
His reply to the query is being looked into. The argument of some people is that he should be allowed to go quietly in March, which is just two months away.
The President was not happy that Ringim handed over the suspect to Zakari Biu, when he knew that both the officer and the suspect were from the same town. Sokoto and Zakare Biu are from Biu in Borno State.
“Was his action deliberate in order to facilitate the escape of the suspect? Or did he do it, thinking that the CP was the best officer to handle the investigation?
“If he feels that he is capable, is he the only officer that could do such a job? He needs to explain and convince the investigating panel about his action.”
The panel would also look at the fact, merit and demerit of his reply to the query.
But security agencies said the President was waiting for the findings of the security committee constituted by the office of the National Security Adviser, to probe the circumstances leading to the escape of Sokoto.
The security committee would interrogate the IG, the Commissioner of Police under whose care the suspect escaped from detention.
The Federal Government has set up a committee and the committee has commenced work since, and I think we should wait for the committee to submit its report.”
Critics of the government have however contended that the panel, the investigations and the search for a new IG, were parts of a plan to waste time so that the IGP could serve out his term.
Meanwhile, preparatory to Ringim’s eventual exit from the force, the President has commenced a search for a new Inspector-General of Police.
Some Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police are said to be invited for screening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The DIGs were screened by senior government officials at the Presidential Villa last Thursday, while the AIGs are expected to come for interviews this week.
The President is considering the performance and competence of the DIGs and AIGs and he has requested for their files to know who is best suited for the position.
The DIGs were said to have been conducted to the office of the Chief of Staff from where they were taken before a panel to answer questions on their career and performance as police officers.
The DIGs included Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, Azubuko Udah, (both representing South East geo-political zone); Sardauna Abubakar, (from the North West zone); Audu Abubakar, (North East); Mohammed Yesufu, (South-South); and Saleh Abubakar (North Central).
The AIGs are Mohammed Zarewa-Force Secretary; Abubakar Mohammed, Zone 1, Kano; Suleiman Fakai- Zone 2, Lagos; AIG Ibrahim Madu, Zone 3, Yola; and AIG Aloysius Okorie -Zone 4, Makurdi.
Others are AIG Ibrahim Ahmed-Zone 5 Benin; Mohammed D. Abubakar, Zone 6, Calabar; Felix Ogbandu-Zone 7, Abuja; Donald Irohan, Zone 8 Lokoja; Mohammed M. Abass-Zone 9, Umuahia; Sokoto Atiku Kafur, Zone 10, Sokoto.
The list also include Saidu Daya-Zone 11 Osogbo; Johnson Egbunam, Zone 12, Bauchi; Christopher Ola, Command Police Staff College, Jos; Bukar Maina, Police Intelligence FHQ, Abuja; Danlami Yar’adua-Command Police Academy, Kano.
The rest are Shehu Babalola, Border Patrol; Madueke Dax Uzu, Medical FHQ; Charles A. Cole, Air Wing FHQ; Idris Hadeja, Works; Jingi Misau Mohammed, Police Veterinary.
President Goodluck Jonathan may have decided not to relieve the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, of his appointment, despite widespread speculation, last week, that the IGP was on his way out.
Speculation that Ringim might be sacked heightened after the IG was issued a query asking him to explain the escape of Boko Haram suspect, Kabir Sokoto.
Sokoto, suspected to have masterminded the Christmas Day bombing at the St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, escaped from Police custody last Monday, 24 hours after his arrest.
Ringim enjoys a very close personal relationship with the President as he was the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State at a time the President was the Governor of the state.
Critics have said that insecurity has worsened under the IGP and the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, has largely operated unchecked.
There was strong pressure on Jonathan to sack Ringim, under whose tenure the Boko Haram had bombed a string of high profile targets including the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the United Nations Office complex.
However, the Presidency had decided that Ringim should keep his job as he was bound to retire in March as it is said to be working on a plan for a ‘dignified’ exit for the IGP.
Some of those who lobbied for Ringim to be retained reportedly told the President to allow him to finish his term in March.
The lobbyists, who also copmprised some aides of the President, claimed that the saking of the IGP could create problems for the President with the “North.
There is pressure everywhere to relieve the IG of his job. But for now, no decision has been taken on the man.
His reply to the query is being looked into. The argument of some people is that he should be allowed to go quietly in March, which is just two months away.
The President was not happy that Ringim handed over the suspect to Zakari Biu, when he knew that both the officer and the suspect were from the same town. Sokoto and Zakare Biu are from Biu in Borno State.
“Was his action deliberate in order to facilitate the escape of the suspect? Or did he do it, thinking that the CP was the best officer to handle the investigation?
“If he feels that he is capable, is he the only officer that could do such a job? He needs to explain and convince the investigating panel about his action.”
The panel would also look at the fact, merit and demerit of his reply to the query.
But security agencies said the President was waiting for the findings of the security committee constituted by the office of the National Security Adviser, to probe the circumstances leading to the escape of Sokoto.
The security committee would interrogate the IG, the Commissioner of Police under whose care the suspect escaped from detention.
The Federal Government has set up a committee and the committee has commenced work since, and I think we should wait for the committee to submit its report.”
Critics of the government have however contended that the panel, the investigations and the search for a new IG, were parts of a plan to waste time so that the IGP could serve out his term.
Meanwhile, preparatory to Ringim’s eventual exit from the force, the President has commenced a search for a new Inspector-General of Police.
Some Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police are said to be invited for screening at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The DIGs were screened by senior government officials at the Presidential Villa last Thursday, while the AIGs are expected to come for interviews this week.
The President is considering the performance and competence of the DIGs and AIGs and he has requested for their files to know who is best suited for the position.
The DIGs were said to have been conducted to the office of the Chief of Staff from where they were taken before a panel to answer questions on their career and performance as police officers.
The DIGs included Mrs. Ivy Okoronkwo, Azubuko Udah, (both representing South East geo-political zone); Sardauna Abubakar, (from the North West zone); Audu Abubakar, (North East); Mohammed Yesufu, (South-South); and Saleh Abubakar (North Central).
The AIGs are Mohammed Zarewa-Force Secretary; Abubakar Mohammed, Zone 1, Kano; Suleiman Fakai- Zone 2, Lagos; AIG Ibrahim Madu, Zone 3, Yola; and AIG Aloysius Okorie -Zone 4, Makurdi.
Others are AIG Ibrahim Ahmed-Zone 5 Benin; Mohammed D. Abubakar, Zone 6, Calabar; Felix Ogbandu-Zone 7, Abuja; Donald Irohan, Zone 8 Lokoja; Mohammed M. Abass-Zone 9, Umuahia; Sokoto Atiku Kafur, Zone 10, Sokoto.
The list also include Saidu Daya-Zone 11 Osogbo; Johnson Egbunam, Zone 12, Bauchi; Christopher Ola, Command Police Staff College, Jos; Bukar Maina, Police Intelligence FHQ, Abuja; Danlami Yar’adua-Command Police Academy, Kano.
The rest are Shehu Babalola, Border Patrol; Madueke Dax Uzu, Medical FHQ; Charles A. Cole, Air Wing FHQ; Idris Hadeja, Works; Jingi Misau Mohammed, Police Veterinary.
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