Jonathan dumps Ringim, DIGs, spares NSA Azazi …appoints AIG Abubakar acting IG

President Goodluck Jonathan, on Wednesday, finally bowed to pressure to sack the senior security officials blamed by many Nigerians for the country’s growing insecurity problems.

However, rather than sack all the service chiefs that critics have assailed for the failure of intelligence that has hobbled the war against the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, Jonathan removed one.

Hafiz Ringim, the Inspector General of Police until yesterday, bade bye to the Force as Jonathan removed him and appointed an Assistant Inspector General, Mohammed Abubakar, as the nation’s number one police officer.

The President, however, did not remove the National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi, whose coordination of the fight against Boko Haram has also come under criticism.

Azazi, the former IG and other security chiefs have been criticised for the rise in the number of attacks by Boko Haram militants in the North.

Of them all, Ringim’s cup became full last week when the man suspected to have masterminded the Christmas Day bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, Kabir Sokoto, escaped from police custody 24 hours after he was arrested. He was subsequently queried and given 24 hours by Jonathan to find the escaped bomber.

Sources had told THE PUNCH that Jonathan, who is close to the former Inspector-General, was very reluctant to sack him, planning to ensure that his friend retire in March.

Abubakar, who was appointed in acting capacity, was the AIG in charge of Zone 12 with headquarters in Bauchi. He is 53 years old and from Guasau, Zamfara State. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on July 30, 1979.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who announced the appointment of Abubakar in a statement, also said all the deputy inspectors general of police who served with the former IGP had been retired. The statement said the appointment of Abubakar was the first step in the government’s planned re-organisation of the Police.

The statement reads, “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed D. Abubakar as Acting Inspector General of Police as a first step towards the comprehensive reorganisation and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force to make it more effective and capable of meeting emerging internal security challenges.

“Abubakar, who is currently an Assistant Inspector General of Police replaces Mr. Hafiz Ringim, who proceeds on terminal leave with effect from today, 25 January 2012.
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The President has also established a Special Committee to oversee the urgent reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force. The committee is to be chaired by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry B.O Osayande, DIG (rtd).
Other Members of the Committee are:
1.      Mr. Casimir T. Akagbosu, AIG (rtd.), mni
2.      Mr. Bashir A. Albasu, AIG (rtd.), fwc.
3.      Major Gen. S.N. Chikwe, rtd.
4.      Prof. S.D. Mukoro
5.      Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN
6.      Aisha Larai Tukur
7.      Solicitor General of the Federation
8.      Permanent Secretary, SSO, Office of the SGF to serve as the Secretary to the Committee

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