Aruga Joe Omokaro, Abuja
Some senior police officers are commending the leadership quality of the Inspector-Genera of Police (IGP) Alkali Usman Baba.
In particular, is his non partisan and firm decision in deploying a non Northerner to head Lagos State police command. This is at the backdrop of rife speculations in Lagos police command and in Force Headquarters (FHQ) Abuja, in December 2021 and in January 2022, that the IG may deploy his kinsman to head Lagos Police.
There were intrigues on who becomes the CP of Lagos State, sequel to promotion and subsequent retirement of immediate past CP Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu who was promoted last year December to Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police and retired last week Tuesday.
CP Abiodun Sylvester Alabi was eventually deployed to replace Odumosu.
The SUPREME investigations revealed that, several CPs were penciled down to replace Odumosu.
Among them, two were most favoured . They include CP Delta State command, from Nasarawa State, CP Mohammed Ali Ari and the present CP of Lagos ,Abiodun Alabi, from Ekiti State. He was in FHQ Abuja before being deployed to Lagos.
Several officers who spoke to The SUPREME for choosing Alabi for Lagos police command, eulogised Alkali”s leadership virtues.
One of them is Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, DIG Moses Jutobph. He said, “the IG is very matured, firm and professional in taking decisions. He does not apply sentiments I enjoy working with him. He is better than Adamu (immediate past IGP.)”
Investigations reveal that many senior officers had the feeling that the IG was going to deploy CP Mohammed to Lagos on ethnic consideration.
However, our findings reveal that, Mohammed almost clinch it not on ethnic consideration but on knowledge and experience of Lagos terrain.
Another officer who eulogised Alkali”s leadership virtues is a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Lagos. He said, “the IG is a father, he does not discrimiate. Since he came on board you may agree that policemen are performing in high spirit.
On the choice of Alabi, he said, “that shows you that he (IGP) does not apply sentiments in posting officers
CP Alabi has vast experience of Lagos like CP Ari. He had served in various capacities exposing him to challenges in Lagos. He therefore knows Lagos terrain like his palm He is a decent and an experienced officer.”
Other officers who spoke were Area Commanders, Assistant Commissioners of Police ACPs. They spoke separately and said, “the IG is a father. One thing we like in him is his maturity and firmness in handling the Force. He does not listen to gossips, he also does not apply sentiments in taking decisions. He does not intimate his subordinates. All he wants is do the job professionally that is why many of us like him.”
A DPO said he knew the IG in Kaduna years back. “He is a firm and an experienced officer’ he said.
Two police Inspectors who pleaded anonymity , (tfrom Kogi and Ogun states) said, “the IG is trying his best, especially on our welfare. Though our salary increase has not been paid, we believe it will be paid “
Interestingly, CP Alabi told The SUPREME that, “the IG is a true father who one can always depend on. He is very matured, firm and professional in taking decisions. .With his good leadership quality he will earn himself one of the best IGs.
Alabi said he is grateful to the IG for choosing him among others in deploying him in Lagos. He assured that, ” with God on our side l will not disappoint him in the task of fighting criminality in Lagos. We will put in our best by tackling crime decisively to a tolerable level. We plead with the citizens for their cooperation “
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