THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday faulted the appointment of Mohammed Dahiru as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) by President Goodluck Jonathan.
It said Abubakar’s appointment will not in any way end terrorism in the country, even as it rejected the appointment, describing it as unacceptable to its members.
However, some Northerners, under the auspices of the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), described the Acting police boss as a detribalised Nigerian, adding that rather than congratulate him, they sympathise with him in view of the enormous responsibility ahead of him.
In a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the CAN in the North, Sunday Oibe, the religious body alleged that the Acting IGP was indicted by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of inquiry into the Jos crisis of 2001 and recommended his retirement from the police force.
But, legal experts have said Abubakar was not called to defend himself against the panel’s recommendation, which the authorities never acted on. Besides, he has been promoted and given sensitive jobs since then.
The statement noted that members of CAN in the North are not safe in the hands of the new police chief because of his records as a Police Commissioner in Plateau State.
The statement reads: “For him to be appointed as the acting IG of Police, we wonder whether President Goodluck Jonathan knows what he is doing. To us, the appointment of Abubakar is an extension of terrorism in Nigeria.
“Christians in Northern Nigeria will not feel safe following his antecedents as the commissioner of police in Plateau state as documented by the Hon. Justice Niki Tobi Commission of inquiry into the bloody killings the crisis in Jos in 2001.”
The AYF asked the new IGP to establish a clear departure from the recent past by making men and officers of the Force more responsive and proactive to security issues in all parts of the country.
Its National President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said despite the mounting security challenges faced by the former IGP Hafiz Ringim, he did his best within the period, but failed to show the skills that could have earned him commendation from the government
Gujungu said the forum would have congratulated the new police boss, “but considering the task ahead and increasing insurgency from all parts of the Northwest, now was the time to sympathise with him and call on Nigerians to rally around the police with a view to achieving ultimate peace in the land.”
He described Abubakar as a detribalised officer, who has held sensitive positions and was never found wanting. He said the acting IGP’s zeal, discipline were enough to ensure a successful tenure and crime free Nigeria.
He appealed to the Federal Government and the Boko Haram sect to dialogue.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us and we should not allow any outside forces to come in and destabilise us”, he said.
Culled from The Nation
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