21st April, 2015
Seun Bisuga
President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and has immediately appointed Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Solomon Arase as acting IGP with immediate effect.
In a tweet by Reuben Abati, official presidential spokesman/media adviser, he wrote: “President Jonathan sacks IGP Suleiman Abba, appoints DIG Solomon Arase as Acting IGP with immediate effect.”
When P.M.NEWS contacted Abati at about 1:46 p.m., he confirmed the development and forwarded a statement to that effect to our correspondent.
The statement read: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has relieved the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba of his appointment and duties with immediate effect.
“President Jonathan has also appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase as Acting Inspector-General of Police, also with immediate effect.
“Until his appointment as Mr. Abba’s replacement, Mr. Arase was the Head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
“Mr. Arase holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Law, as well as Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Political Science and Strategic Studies.
“He is also a Fellow of the Nigerian Defence College.”
Abba was the 17th Indigenous Inspector-General of Police appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Speaking after his appointment in August 2014, he promised that the upsurge in security challenges will have his full attention, noting that a very important area he would concentrate on is bringing back and building public confidence in the police force.
“To the Nigerian public, let me say we know your expectation. These include that we (police) control crime and violent crimes. We will come out with sustainable professional crime fighting strategies that will take the public into consideration. Because when you (police) don’t have confidence of the public, don’t expect them to assist you. We will stop excesses in the exercise of power,” Abba said.