The Police Service Commission explained, yesterday, that the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba was removed from office because of increasing cases of indiscipline in the rank and file of the force.
The explanation came on a day the Police Council confirmed Mr. Abba’s successor, Mr. Solomon Arase as the substantive Inspector General of Police.
The chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, who spoke with newsmen after the Council of State meeting, yesterday, said the President told members of the council that the former IGP was removed because of increased cases of insdicipline among the rank and file of the force.
His words: “I’m not part of the Presidency that removed him, so I cannot give adequate answer. Though at the meeting President Jonathan tried to explain to members, based on the question raised by one of the governors that Nigerians may want to know why the former IGP was removed.
“The President, who was very brief in his response said, during the period of the former IGP, a lot of indiscipline was noticed among the Police rank and file and as such he felt that a new IG should come and try his luck. That is what he said, though I cannot give details of that.”
Meanwhile, the newly confirmed IGP, Mr. Arase, who spoke with state House correspondents after meeting with President Jonathan ,promised that no Nigerian would suffer injustice under his watch.
“To Nigerians, I know that their expectations are high, but I can assure them that no Nigerian will suffer any injustice by my inaction or action,” he said.
He said that under his watch, the welfare of officers and men would be a top priority as a well motivated personnel as the panacea for effective policing.
“To my men, I will tell them that their welfare will be number one on my cardinal responsibilities. You don’t motivate a workforce except their welfare is paramount. I’m going to ensure that their welfare is going to be put on the front burner” he said.
