Pascal Arogorn Ibe
There is uncertainty over what happens at the Louis Edet House, headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as the Inspector General of Police Mohammed A. Adamu is due to retire Monday.
Sources told Daily Trust on Sunday that there is frenzy and heightened intrigues within the police high commands and corridors of power in Abuja in the foggy race for the police top job.
Adamu, a member of the Police’s ASP Cadet Course 14, is due to retire on account of service years. The IGP clocks 35 years in service on Monday, having enlisted in the Police Force on February 1, 1986.
Typically, retiring IGPs have “pull out” ceremonies on their last day in office. But sources at the Police headquarters say there are no such plans yet for the outgoing police boss.
The Police Act, signed by President Muhammadu Buhari last year, pegs the retirement age of police officers at 60 years of age or 35 years of service.
Section 18(8) of the new Police Act states: “Every police officer shall, on recruitment or appointment, serve in the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years or until the age of 60 years, whichever is earlier.”
Presidency yet to announce successor
However, hours to Adamu’s statutory retirement day, the Presidency is yet to announce a new inspector general of police or extend the tenure of the current occupant of the office.
By law, the police chief is appointed by the president on the “advice” of the Police Council. The Council is chaired by the president and has the 36 state governors, Chairman of the Police Service Commission and the IGP as members.
There is intense lobby within the power cycles in Abuja, Daily Trust on Sunday gathered, with Adamu still said to be hopeful of a tenure extension.
The Buhari administration had in the past retained key military and paramilitary officials even after exhausting their statutorily allowed time of service.
Experts and senior police officers who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday, however, warned of the dangers of repeating “the mistake” done with the military.
No official comment from the Force Headquarters as its spokesman, CP Frank Mba, declined calls from our correspondent.
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