By Cynthia Akande
Garba Umar, Assistant Inspector-General of Police from Nigeria, has been voted in as the Vice President of the International Criminal Police Organization, Interpol for Africa.
AIG Garba was elected in the early hours of Thursday, November 25 at the 89th Interpol General Assembly which held at the Halic Congress Hall, Istanbul, Turkey.
An official from the United Arab Emirates emerged as its new President, while Valdecy Urquiza of Brazil was elected to the post of Vice President for the Americas.
This announcement was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Nigerian Force Public Relations Officer [FPRO] CP Frank Mba.
Mba said: “The year 2021 general assembly, which has in attendance 470 police chiefs, ministers and senior law enforcement officials from the 195 Interpol member countries, seeks to identify areas where the organization can reinforce the global security architecture and enhance collaboration against national and transnational crimes
“AIG Garba, one of Nigeria’s finest criminal investigator and professional strategic police manager, with over thirty years policing experience both at national and international levels, polled the highest number of votes in the elections.
”With this appointment, which will span through a period of 3 years, AIG Garba is expected to bring his wealth of experience to bear in coordinating Interpol operations targeted at ensuring a safer world for people and communities across the African continent.
“This is in addition to drawing international policing support and cooperation towards advancing public safety and security, protecting the cyberspace and generally addressing challenges faced by law enforcement officers and policing managers in the continent.
“Nigeria’s delegation to the 89th Interpol general assembly was led by the honourable minister of police affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, ably supported by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc.
”The other members of the delegation are; the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa and the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (represented by the Naval Provost Marshal).”
