Ibrahim Kpotum Idris is New Inspector General of Police

•Six DIGs may be retired

Tobi Soniyi in Abuja and Chiemelie Ezeobi in Lagos

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Ibrahim Kpotum Idris as the acting Inspector General of Police (IG).

His appointment is subject to confirmation by the Police Council.

He replaces Mr. Solomon Arase who retired yesterday.

Arase accompanied the new IG to the president’s office when the appointment was made.

Prior to his appointment, Idris was the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Operations.

While presenting the new IG to journalists, Arase said: “I want to formally introduce my successor, AIG Idris Kpotum. He is going to serve in an acting capacity until the police council confirms him.

“I want to seize this opportunity to thank Nigerians for the cooperation given me while I served as Inspector General of Police. By extension, I want to also appeal to you to give the same support that you gave to me to my successor.

“He is a younger man so I am sure he will be abreast with contemporary policing issues.”

In his remarks, the new IG said that under his watch the police would be governed by internationally recognised core values.

He said: “Honestly, by collective leadership, the Nigerian police is going to be governed by internationally recognised core values of policing everywhere in the world, that is, the issue of integrity and accountability, issue of respect for diversity, issue of compassion, issues of ensuring that our streets, our neighbourhoods, our communities remain safe.

“We are going to do everything possible to ensure that we provide the best service to this country.”

A statement issued yesterday by the president’s media aide, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Idris who hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State, was born on January 15, 1959.

He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri.

Adesina said Idris had served in various commands and formations in the Nigerian Police Force, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17 years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander and Commandant.

He served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano States and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters.

His role during the Ombatse cult phenomenon in Nassarawa was exemplary, as he helped to contain the ethnic militia, a development that earned him the sobriquet “chief cop”.

He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service.

The president’s spokesman said: “Idris, who was in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters before his appointment as the acting Inspector-General of Police, will act in that capacity pending his confirmation.”

Following the appointment of Idris as the new IG, the six Deputy Inspectors General of Police who served under Arase may be retired.

The six DIG’s are Dan-Azumi Job Doma, DIG in charge Finance and Administration (A) department, DIG Sotonye Wakama, DIG in charge Operations (B) department, DIG Ibrahim Mamman Tsafe, DIG in charge Logistics and Supplies (C) department.

Others are DIG Kakwa Christopher Katso, DIG in charge Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), DIG Cynthia Amaju Onu, DIG in charge ICT, DIG Jubril Olawale Adeniji, DIG Research and Planning.