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Three retired IGs, ex-DIG lobby AGF, others, for PSC top job 

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Three retired IGs, ex-DIG lobby AGF, others, for PSC top job 

Three retired IGs, ex-DIG lobby AGF, others, for PSC top job 

By: Michael Mike

Three former Inspectors-General of Police and a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police are currently lobbying to replace ex-IGP Musiliu Smith as the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.

The former police chiefs, according to sources, have solicited the assistance of the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and other top Presidential aides for consideration for the top job.

Smith, who assumed office on July 25, 2018, alongside other commissioners, was supposed to complete his five-year tenure in July, 2023, but he resigned on health grounds about two weeks ago.

His tenure was however marred by a face-off with the police authorities over the recruitment of police constables.

A retired Supreme Court Justice who is Commissioner 1 in the commission, Clara Ogunbiyi, has since taken over in acting capacity.

A senior official said, ‘’There is intense lobbying for the position of PSC chairman. The candidates have been soliciting the support of the AGF, SGF and other top government officials in the Presidency. But the odds favour the DIG who has the ears of the AGF.”

‘The source added that: “As we speak, one of the candidates is in New York to meet with President Buhari where the deal would be sealed. On his return to the country, the retired police officer may be announced as the new chairman of the commission. The development is causing tension among the PSC workers because they fear that the situation that pervaded the agency under Smith would continue if another retired IG is appointed as the chairman.’’

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has listed for hearing the police appeal against the Court of Appeal judgment which affirmed the PSC’s constitutional mandate to recruit constables.

It was learnt that the case which had been abandoned for about two years has been dusted up and is now slated for hearing at the Supreme Court early next month.  

 In a unanimous judgment on September 30, 2020, a three-man panel of the appellate court led by Justice Olabisi Ige, held that the IGP lacked the power to make the recruitment for the police force. The court held that the power to carry out the recruitment was exclusively that of the Police Service Commission.

The judgment overturned the December 2, 2019 verdict of a Federal High court in Abuja which upheld the powers of the IGP to carry out the recruitment of 10,000 constables.

 The PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, confirmed the development, adding that the police appeal would be heard in October.

It was gathered that the acting PSC chairman, Ogunbiyi recently attempted to meet with IG Usman Baba and the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi to resolve the recruitment crisis.

Also Read: ENERGY: How Professor Ahidjo wins over NDPC for 7.5…

A source told our correspondent that: ‘’The retired justice wrote a letter to the IGP to ask for a meeting so that the legal issues around the constables recruitment could be ironed out but the police boss in his reply said the date she suggested for the meeting was not convenient, but he did not propose alternative dates as expected.

‘’What is playing out is that the police authorities did not want to subject themselves to civilian supervision and control; they don’t want to be accountable and that is why the commission workers are against the appointment of another retired IG as chairman.”

There has been consistently violation by successive administrations to align to the recommendation of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms which admonished the government to ‘’appoint only civilians with non-police and non-military background as the commission chairman to avoid the risk of conflict of interest.’’

Three retired IGs, ex-DIG lobby AGF, others, for PSC top job 

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APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

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APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

By: Michael Mike

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has affirmed its unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, recognising Taiwan as an integral part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Speaking in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, the APC National Vice-Chairman (North-East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu, said the party is in full alignment with the federal government’s diplomatic stance.

He said: “Nigeria is unequivocally committed to the One-China Principle. Consequently, the policies and principles of the APC will mirror those of our federal government in diplomatic matters.

“China is a significant partner for our nation; they regard us as equals rather than a lesser nation. This perspective fosters a relationship of mutual progress. Therefore, it is wise for the government to support the one-China principle.”

Salihu reiterated the APC’s firm support for the government’s diplomatic policies, stating, “As a party, we stand resolutely behind the one-China principle.”

He praised the positive outcomes of Nigeria-China diplomatic relations, particularly in trade, investment, and infrastructural development.

He said: “Our partnership with China has yielded substantial results. We have witnessed the construction of extensive roads, bridges, and railways by Chinese companies, with counterpart funding from the Chinese government.

“In addition, projects such as the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) natural gas pipeline and various free trade zones in Nigeria have been funded, in whole or in part, by Chinese institutions. Chinese enterprises are eager to establish factories and businesses in Nigeria, and many are already contributing to our economy,” he noted.

He attributed the influx of foreign investment in Nigeria to the APC administration’s business-friendly policies, including amendments to the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which have streamlined processes for investors.

He expressed the party’s readiness to strengthen ties with the Communist Party of China (CPC) through collaboration in cultural exchange, trade, education, and human capital development.

He said: “We are dedicated to fostering mutual growth and reinforcing our historic partnership.”

APC Affirms One-China Principle, Lauds Nigeria-China Partnership

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Yobe gets new Commissioner of Police

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Yobe gets new Commissioner of Police

By: Yahaya Wakili

A new Commissioner of police has been posted to the Yob state police command.

The new Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmad, assume duty today 2nd, May 2023.

A statement from DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Yobe State Command said CP Garba Ahmad hails from Kafur LGA of Kasina State.

He attended the Bayero University of Kano State (BUK) where he obtained a B. A in Education and later bagged MPA in the University of Maiduguri in 1996.

He was enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a cadets Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP and a member of course 3 intake.

During his carrier in the force he served in different capacities and in various strategic offices across the country to mention but a few: Borno, Ebonyi, Kaduna, FCT, Adamawa, Gombe, Enugu, and Oyo among other states.

He attended many courses both at home and abroad, among which is the International Law Enforcement Academy in the United States of America USA.

He is a seasoned community policing officer with vast experience in Law Enforcement and Strategic leadership.

He rose through the ranks to the enviable rank of Commissioner of Police and was deployed to Yobe State Police Command as the new Commissioner of Police.
He is 32 Commissioner of Police since the creation of the Command,

He took over from the former Commissioner of Police CP Haruna G. Garba. On 2nd May 2023

Yobe gets new Commissioner of Police

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Zulum hands 9 armoured vehicles to Borno Police

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Zulum hands 9 armoured vehicles to Borno Police

… More support coming, Gov says
… Lauds Buhari, IGP

By: Babagana Wakil

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Tuesday handed over nine armoured personnel carriers to the Borno Command of the Nigerian Police Force to increase their capacity in crime prevention and responses.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Abdu Umar, received the APCs during a brief ceremony held in Maiduguri.

Zulum at the presentation commended the Borno Police Command and other security establishments for their extreme commitment in the fight against Boko Haram and preventing other crimes across the 27 local government areas of the state.

Our correspondent reports that Governor Zulum has, in nearly four years, released more than 1,300 patrol vehicles to a combination of the military, police, DSS, the paramilitary and volunteers in the civilian JTF, hunters and vigilantes who have formations in all of Borno’s 27 local government areas.

… More APCs coming, Gov. says

Meanwhile, Governor Zulum has promised to approve more armoured personnel carriers and other forms of support to the Nigerian Police and other security outfits working to restore peace in Borno State.

“Our administration will continue to support the Nigerian Police to deliver their objectives of protecting lives and properties of citizens. We will buy more APCs and Insha Allah we will extend more pf our support to all the security agencies” Zulum said.

… Lauds Buhari, IGP

The governor commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his ceaseless commitment in the fight against insurgents which has significantly helped in Borno’s ongoing stability.

“For us in Borno State, there is nothing we can say rather than to thank the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for restoring peace and stability in Borno State. This can never be feasible without the support of the Nigerian military, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, NSCDC, paramilitary and our volunteers”, Zulum said.

Zulum also paid tribute to the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman.

“Let me commend the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, for the giant stride he has been making in reforming the Nigerian Police and ensuring peace and stability in the country since he assumed the mantle of leadership as the IGP”, the Governor noted.

Zulum hands 9 armoured vehicles to Borno Police

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