Nigeria: President Jonathan fires General Hafis Ringim
By Shout-Africa.com Correspondent Chinyere Ogbonna – President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria has directed that the Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Ringim to proceed on a terminal leave with immediate effect. The sack comes a month before he is actually due for retirement. This was made public in a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
General Ringim and M.D Abubakar
Mr Ringim’s sack may not be unconnected to his failure to produce Kabir Sokoto, the suspected mastermind of the Christmas day bombing at the saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger state, Northern Nigeria.
Mr. Sokoto was alleged to have escaped from the police custody while he was being escorted to his house at Abaji, near Abuja, the nation’s capital for a search on his apartment to dig up evidences that could link him to the Madalla explosion.
The former Inspector General of Police was consequently given 24 hours by the Nigerian government to produce the suspected terrorist or face a sack.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Mr. Caleb Olubolade had issued the directive while also asking that Commissioner Mr. Zakari Biu, the senior police officer in charge of the suspect’s investigation be immediately detained.
The 24 hours deadline has expired without Mr Ringim producing the suspected terrorist hence his dismissal.
Mr. Mohammed D Abubakar has been named as the new IG of Police following Mr. Ringims dismissal. Mr. Abubakar is taking off in an acting capacity as the new Inspector General of Police in an active capacity.
Mr. Abubakar, an Assistant Inspector General of police, from Zamfara state in the Northern part of the country, in charge of Zone 12, Bauchi state also in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Born on May 5, 1958, Mr. Abubakar enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on July 30, 1979.
The President also approved the retirement of all Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIG’s) with immediate effect.
Those affected include, Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, DIG POL 2i/c Force Headquarters, Abuja, Azubuko J. Udah, DIG Administration (“A” Dept) and Sardauna Abubukar, DIG Training (“E” Dept.).
Others are Audu Abubakar, DIG Operations (“B” Dept); Saleh Abubakar, DIG Works (“C” Dept.) and Mohammed A. Yesufu, DIG Planning and Info-Tech (“F” Dept.).
Dr. Jonathan has also established a Special Committee to oversee the urgent reorganisation of the Nigeria Police Force. The committee is to be chaired by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Parry B.O Osayande, DIG (rtd).
