Now That Abubakar Is In Charge

The appointment of Mohammed Abubakar as the Acting Inspector-General of Police came at a time Nigerians had lost faith in the ability of the police to address the security challenge posed by the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists. The ineptitude of his predecessor, Hafiz Ringim, did not help matters either.

Perhaps Aso Rock would have tolerated Ringim till his retirement a few weeks away but for the unpardonable crime of allowing a prime Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, to escape from police custody. Everyone called for his sack until last week when Aso Rock bowed to pressure and relieved him of his job.

With Abubakar now in the saddle, there is optimism that he will perform better than his predecessor even though he faces a very daunting task of reining in Boko Haram. Nigerians are giving him the benefit of the doubt and believe he may do better than Ringim because of his pedigree.

Many who know him said he is a thorough-bred professional cop who will make a great positive difference while at the helm of affairs at Kam Selem House.

Abubakar has had an illustrious career. He was a Commissioner of Police in Lagos State and as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 with headquarters at Onikan, Lagos, he was said to have performed excellently well. It is left to be seen how he will deal with the incubus called Boko Haram.

He has already started talking tough. Abubakar issued a veiled warning to the terrorist group when he assumed duties last week at the Police Headquarters in Abuja, which was the target of attack by Boko Haram last year during the tenure of Ringim.

We expect him to match his words with action. He also promised to reform the police force and went ahead to declare a state of emergency in all police training schools across the country. The schools have become an eyesore, with decrepit structures all over.

The rot in the force is monumental and seems insurmountable but we hope Abubakar will deploy all the necessary resources to ensure that he cleanses the augean stable while he is in the saddle.

The task before Abubakar is so huge that he needs the support of all Nigerians to succeed. But he can only get the support if he builds a police force that is friendly and civil in their dealings with members of the public, and send packing the few criminals and corrupt elements that have tainted the force.

We can only wish him well in his new job and may his career not end in ignominy like that of Ringim who was disgraced out of office.