Wednesday’s sack of the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, and all serving Deputy Inspectors General of Police by President Goodluck Jonathan and subsequent appointment of Mohammed Dikko Abubukar as the acting IGP has elicited varied reactions from some prominent Nigerians.
While describing the sack of Ringim as long overdue and the choice of Abubakar as his replacement as a wrong choice, human rights activist and spokesman for the Save Nigerian Group, Yinka Odumakin, wondered why Jonathan waited this long to give Ringim the booth in view of the chaotic security situation in the country.
But elder statesman and chieftain of the pan Yoruba social political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo said the change was timely and necessary because Ringim obviously has failed to discharge his duties effectively.
Human Rights activist and lawyer, Chief Gabriel Giwa-Amu, also agrees that the removal of Ringim was long overdue, because the day the Force Headquarters was bombed by the Boko Haram sect was the same day Ringim ought to have resigned or be sacked.
Giwa-Amu said this was a sign of the loophole in the country’s security.
He said the appointment of Abubakar is a good decision irrespective of some negative perception that some people may have about him.
He said: “As far as I know, Abubakar is a fine officer.”
Odumakin said his objection to the appointment of Abubakar stems from the fact that he was indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi panel that investigated the Jos crisis for the role he played during his time as the police chief there.
He also wondered why Jonathan has continuously held on to the National Security Adviser, whom he said also had issues against him at the Justice Chukwudifu Oputa Panel.
He said such a situation goes to show how sensitive Jonathan is to issues of security in the country.
“It would have been better that Jonathan goes on to appoint Kabir Sokoto, the alleged Madalla, Niger State bomb suspect who escaped, as the Inspector General of Police, instead of appointing a man like Abubakar,” Odumakin said.
For Adebanjo, if seniority was the yardstick for choosing the next police chief, that it was in order.
He said: “A change is necessary because Ringim has not effectively discharged his duties in office.
“If seniority was followed in appointing Abubakar, then there is nothing wrong with it.”
Giwa- Amu said: “In view of the security situation in the country that any step taken by the President aimed at public good will be construed to be in order.
“Ringim’s removal came too late and he was even given a soft landing, when he ought to have been booted out when the Boko Haram people bombed his office without him being able to do anything about it.
“The DIGs were idle people and nobody would fault their sack, especially in view of the fact that Abubakar is a fine officer and gentleman and nobody should mistake his seeming gentlemanlylook for weakness. I think he is a very purposeful officer.”
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