13th September, 2010
The newly appointed armed forces chiefs and the new Inspector-General of Police resumed in Abuja this morning.
President Goodluck Jonathan had last Wednesday appointed Assistant Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim as Inspector-General of Police, Major-General Azubuike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff, Admiral Ola Ibrahim as Chief of Naval Staff and Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Dikko Umar as the Chief of Air Staff.
Air Marshall Oluseyi Pentirin, the former Chief of Air Staff was also elevated to the position of Chief of Defence Staff while Ita Ekpeyong was appointed the new Director-General of State Security Services, SSS.
Former IG Ogbonna Onovo, handed over to Hafiz Ringim, his successor at Louis Edet House, Abuja Police Headquarters this morning.
While speaking at the occasion witnessed by other high ranking police officers, the outgoing police boss regretted that his tenure as the boss of the Nigerian Police was characterised by crises.
He listed the crises to include the Boko Haram uprising and incidents of kidnapping.
Onovo, however, said he tried his best to contain the situation. The former IGP said his removal is not strange as there have been so many who had occupied the position before him.
He asked for forgiveness from Nigerians and police officers he might have offended in the course of his work.
Hafiz Ringim, the new IGP was yet to make his acceptance speech as at the time of writing this report as he was summoned to Aso Rock Presidential Villa just as he was about to speak.
Meanwhile, the handing over ceremony of the service chiefs is just about to begin as at the time of writing this report.
—Oluokun Ayorinde/ Abuja