Jonathan: Former IG was fired for ‘indiscipline’

Suleiman Abba was removed as the inspector general of police for “indiscipline” in the force, President Goodluck Jonathan has been quoted as saying.

Abba was removed on April 21 in a terse statement by Reuben Abati, presidential spokesman, with no reason given.

There were speculations that he was removed for not manipulating the 2015 elections in favour of Jonathan, while some said he had “brazenly” switched loyalty to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari immediately after the polls.

But Mike Okiro, himself a former IG and chairman of the Police Service Commission, told the media on Tuesday that the president has disclosed the reason.

Okiro said: “I may not attempt to answer that question because I’m not part of the presidency that removed him, so I cannot give adequate answer.

“Though at the meeting [the president] 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, in very brief way, said during the period of the former IGP, a lot of indiscipline was noticed among the rank and file of the police 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.”

Abba’s successor, Solomon Arase, has, meanwhile, been confirmed by the police service commission.

Arase was appointed in acting capacity immediately Abba was removed and has now been confirmed the 18th indigenous IG.

His confirmation was also one of the fastest, coming exactly three weeks after his appointment.

Abba was appointed on August 1, 2014 and was not confirmed until Novemebr 4 — a clear three months after.

MD Abubakar, Abba’s predecessor, was appointed on January 25, 2012 and confirmed on July 12 same year.

Arase announced to correspondents on Tuesday: “‎I have just been confirmed.”

It remains to be seen if Buhari would retain him after his inauguration on May 29.