Nigeria police boss sacked ‘for not cooperating’ with party
A policeman tries to control people celebrating after results of the gubernatorial and parliamentarian elections were announced in Lagos, on April 11, 2015. PHOTO | PIUS UTOMI EKPEI |
What you need to know:
- Reports late last week indicated that Abba was to be sent home because he had failed to cooperate with the ruling People’s Democratic Party during the March 28 presidential election.
- According to reports, party leaders accused Abba of failing to allow the use of the police to rig the election.
ABUJA
Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday sacked police boss Suleiman Abba.
The surprise move comes less than six weeks before Jonathan leaves office.
Reports late last week indicated that Abba was to be sent home because he had failed to cooperate with the ruling People’s Democratic Party during the March 28 presidential election.
Jonathan lost the election to Muhammadu Buhari, the first time an incumbent has been beaten in polls in the country’s history.
According to reports, party leaders accused Abba of failing to allow the use of the police to rig the election.
Solomon Arase has been appointed acting inspector-general of police, according to the president’s spokesman, Reuben Abati.
Abba was the 17th indigenous police boss. He took office on August 1, 2014, after he was appointed to the position by President Jonathan.
He took over from Mohammed Abubakar, who had retired from the force.
Abba hails from Gwaram in Jigawa State. He holds degrees in History and Law, and has attended several management and security courses within and outside Nigeria.
He is known for his vast experience in criminal investigation, intelligence-led policing and crime-fighting operations.
Until his appointment as acting police boss, Arase was the head of the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
