Read Suleiman Abba’s maiden speech…did he deliver on his promises?

President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba with immediate effect but reasons for relieving him of his duties were not given by the Presidency. Was it political or because he did not deliver?

In the maiden speech by Abba, he promised to change the police force and give it a more professional look but has he delivered his promises? Be the judge of Abba’s time as IG.

Delivering his maiden speech at a handover ceremony at the force headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Abba observed that visions and missions of different administrations of the Nigeria police had been personalised, but he promised to make a clear departure from this trend. “We will come up with visions that are not personalised. The focus of my leadership is attitudinal change, because you cannot reform an institution if you do not reform the people,” Abba said.

“We will make sure officers conform to values and standards of the Nigeria police. We will have an ethical code of conduct that will guide officers and that will help us achieve our objective. He said his administration would do anything required to halt violent crimes.

“We will continue to do community policing. We are not there yet, but we will ensure that we satisfy Nigerians. My experience teaches me that policing has changed. Policing is no more about arresting, investigating and prosecuting only. The responsibility of the police transcends these traditional roles to expectations in ensuring stable democracy for good governance and providing basic service delivery for the people of our country.”

Abba further said his administration would not reinvent the wheel, but would build on the successes of his predecessor. He thanked President Jonathan for placing confidence in him and granting him the opportunity to serve Nigeria as IGP. Reiterating his assurance of ensuring the safety of citizens, he called on Nigerians to cooperate with the police in the service of the country.