President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (I-G) Usman Alkali Baba as new Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

Minister of Police Affairs Maigari Dingyadi confirmed the appointment when he addressed State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday.

Usman Baba replaces Mohammed Adamu who was appointed on Jan. 15, 2019 to replace Mr Ibrahim Idris.

Adamu’s tenure ended in February but Buhari had extended his tenure on Feb 4 as the Inspector-General of Police for three months. Adamu has however, spent two months and three days.

The incoming acting I-G Baba was promoted to the rank of DIG in December 2020 and was in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID). He holds a masters degree in Public Administration and a B.A (Ed.) degree in Political Science.

Usman Baba, a Yobe-born police officer, had held several strategic positions in the Nigeria Police. He had served as the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone-5, Benin, Zone-4 Makurdi and Zone-7, Abuja.

A fellow of the National Defence College and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Baba attended several professional courses/workshops.

The acting I-G had served as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory and Delta. He had also served as the Acting DIG in charge of the Force Finance and Administration as well as the Force Secretary.

Dingyadi, while addressing the press, said the three-month tenure extension granted to outgoing Inspector-General of Police Muhammad Adamu was terminated following completion of selection process for a new I-G.

Reacting to why the president did not allow the outgoing I-G to last the three months of his extension, the minister.

“The president is aware of this and you cannot take away that responsibility from him; he’s the one who is in charge of appointing or extending tenures.

“He has now decided to appoint a new person. So, please, allow him that responsibility and we cannot do anything about it,” he added.

He stated that all the shortlisted candidates were police officers, eligible for appointment as I-G, in line with Section 7, Sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).

Dingyadi said that the appointment of the acting I-G followed a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs.

“The tenure of the I-G Mohammed Adamu, which ended on February 1, 2021, was extended by the president to enable a detailed process of appointing a new I-G, in line with Section 15 (A) of the 1999 Constitution.

“After a thorough check of a shortlist of suitably qualified police officers from the rank of DIGs and AIGs, who are eligible police officers, eligible for appointment as I-G, in line with Section 7, Sub-section 2 of the Nigeria Police Act (2020).

“And having regards to seniority, professionalism, record of service and competence, the president has approved the appointment of an acting I-G, in the person of Usman Alkali Baba, with immediate effect.

“These changes are in line with the determination of the president to rejig the security architecture and to ensure that the security challenges bedeviling the nation are brought to an end.

“Therefore, the president has charged the new appointee to rise to the challenge to ensure policing reform policy of this administration are fully prioritised and implemented to enable the police to perform most effectively for the peace and security of lives and property of all Nigerians,” he said.

The minister quoted the president as thanking the outgoing I-G, Mohammed Adamu, for his professionalism and dedication to duty during the period of his tenure.

“He wished him all the best in his future endeavours”