Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has been appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.
Baba is taking over from Mohammed Adamu, whose tenure Buhari extended for three months on February 4.
President Buhari’s move was supported by the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, who stated that the law permits Adamu, to remain in office till 2023 or 2024, contending that the President is allowed by law to extend the IGP’s tenure as he wishes.
Adamu only spent about two months out of the three-month extension given by the President.
Over the weekend, Adamu alleged that members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB/Eastern Security Network, ESN, were responsible for the attacks perpetrated on Police Command Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCS, in Imo.
According to him, the attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted and repelled by Police operatives on duty.
As IG, Adamu launched a police radio station, FM station 99.1 expected to enhance the security and safety of Nigerians.
An online petition was also launched against Adamu calling for the International Criminal Court, ICC, to arrest and prosecute him over alleged crimes against humanity.
The petition was initiated on Monday, 13th October 2020 by a Nigerian born lawyer, Amadi Chima accusing the police IG of “unleashing war” against Nigerians protesting abuse of human rights by the police.
