By our Reporter
It was indeed a glamorous welcome for the new Acting Inspector General of Police,(IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, today, 7th April, 2021 as he assumed duty as the Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Baba was appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on the 6th April, 2021 and takes over from Mohammed Abubakar Adamu who retired after 35years of meritorious service to the nation.
Before the handing over,Prof Yemi Osibanjo,Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria decorated the new IG in company of the Minsiter for Police Affairs,Permanent Secretary,Police Affairs Board and Others.
The handing/taking over of leadership between the former and new Police Chiefs was held in a brief but colourful ceremony at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The event was climaxed with the symbolic handover of the Nigeria Police flag.
The new IGP, who is the 21st indigenous Inspector General of Police, thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve the nation and humanity. He pledged to harness all human and material resources of the Force towards improving security, safety, law and order.
Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba is a fellow of the National Defence College, hails from Geidam in Yobe State. He was commissioned into the Nigeria Police Force on 15th March, 1988 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration (MPA) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
The astute crime-fighter and versatile manager of men and resources, has held several strategic positions in the past cutting across all departments of the Force.
These include: Ag. Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of the Department of Finance and Administration, the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in-charge of Zone-5 Benin, Zone-4 Makurdi and Zone-7 Abuja.
He was also a former Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Delta Commands amongst others. Until his appointment as the Ag. IGP, he was the Deputy Inspector General of Police in-charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.
The new Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, NPM holds a policing vision of enhancing police primacy in the protection of lives and property.
He believes in the provision of motivational and credible leadership driven by professionalism and strategic planning, all directed at stabilizing internal security and modernizing police operations within the framework of citizens’ consent, trust, and the rule of law.