By Bala Ibrahim
There is no gainsaying, in the administrative architecture of the Nigeria Police, the office of the Force Secretary is the engine room that serves as the principal source of energy, from where the management of all activities relating to the work of policing the country are coordinated. It is therefore imperative, for effective and efficient performance, to have someone with a good sense of responsibility, good managerial abilities, and an acceptable, or accommodating acumen of harmonizing public and police affairs, to occupy the office of the Force Secretary.
Those who know AIG Hafiz Inuwa, would attest to the fact that he is gifted with simplicity, humility, and the hidden talent of performing according to the expectations of all the other functions of management.
With the appointment of AIG Hafiz Inuwa, Ag.IGP Alkali Baba has not only demonstrated his readiness to perform in accordance with public expectations, but the willingness to carry out the essential administrative duties of the police, in line with the trust placed on him by the President.
As a former Force Secretary himself, IGP Alkali is not only conversant with the significance of the office of the Force Sec, but absolutely knowledgeable about the magnitude of it’s value in the fulfilment of set goals. Hence the need to have a person of merit to drive it.
In his maiden address to the officers of the Force, IGP Alkali was unequivocal, about his determination to meet up with the burden placed upon him, when he said, “I wish to immensely thank His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for considering me worthy of this appointment. I am fully conscious of the task ahead and His Excellency’s expectations. By the Grace of Almighty Allah (SWT), I shall not let the nation down.”
Undoubtedly, for one that is fully conscious of the task ahead, and one that is eager to meet the terms of his unwritten contract with the public, to be successful in producing the desired or intended result, you need the helping hands of people with zeal and zest. And in AIG Hafiz Inuwa Mohammed, there is abundant energy and enthusiasm, wrapped without arrogance, for the pursuit of such assigned objective.
Knowing that time is of extreme essence, and as someone that knows his onions, Acting IGP Alkali seems set for success, by drawing out specific set goals and how best to accomplish them. Those familiar with management always set out their goals and attach time lines to them.
It is in the pursuit of the timely fulfilment of these goals, particularly the troubling IPOB terror in the South East and South South, that he convened a meeting of Police Strategic Commanders, Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police, Commissioners of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police (Operations), in charge of the South-east and South-south states, to brainstorm on how to tackle the security crisis bedevilling the two zones.
The meeting, which was held at the Force headquarters Abuja, yesterday Friday, 09/04/21, was prompted by the two attacks that hit the Imo State Police Command and the Nigerian Correctional Service, Owerri, along with other threats to police formations in the regions.
As part of efforts by the police under his watch, Alkali was emphatic on the need to critically diagnose the security threats in the two regions, with a view to finding new strategies and better response mechanism in tackling them. “We have called this meeting to discuss issues affecting us in the South-east and South-south geo-political zones. We have a very critical situation in the two zones which needs immediate attention, rejigging our strategy to ensure that it is contained. It is not like we do not have problems in other geopolitical zones of the country, but we have to address them one after the other,” IGP Alkali said.
Yes, with AIG Hafiz Inuwa, who holds a Masters degree in Public Policy and Administration (MPPA), and prior to his appointment as the Force Secretary, was the AIG in charge of Zone-13, covering Anambra and Enugu State Police Commands. Previously, he served as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Delta and Cross River States, amongst other strategic positions. So he is not only very familiar with the troubled terrain, but by virtue of his being a member of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Jos, he is in a position to combine his experience in the area, with his vast knowledge on strategy, to proffer quick and workable solutions.
Here’s a welcome for the arrival of AIG Hafiz Inuwa Mohammed, as a square peg in the square hole of the office of the Force Sec.
Ibrahim is a freelance journalist
