Ibrahim Idris, outgoing
inspector-general of police (IGP), like many public officers, is not bereft of
controversies during the discharge of his duties.
The ex-IGP, who clocked 60 on
Tuesday, has made news headlines for many reasons — good, bad and ugly. His
name is, currently, on many lips and news pages regarding his years of active
service.
Mohammed, a former Enugu state
commissioner of police, was appointed acting inspector-general of police,
signalling an end to Idris’ reign.
We take a look at seven of the
controversial happenstances since he assumed office, until the time he bowed
out of service.
TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSION
Idris transmitted waves through
headlines when a video of him stuttering surfaced online. The police chief
struggled to read an address as he kept repeating “transmission”.
The IGP’s performance got people
questioning if he is dyslexic.
While it was obvious that the
video was doctored, it was also evident that Idris had a hard time reading the
speech as at some point, one of his aides walked up to him to offer help. He
also apologised to his audience. This soon became a nickname — transmission,
transmission.
PARADE GONE WRONG
The dust was yet to settle on
Idris’ transmission saga when another uncomplimentary video of him popped up.
In the undated video, Idris made
a premature salute when he joined his fellow service chiefs to lay wreaths
during the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja.
‘NERO’ CUTS CAKE WHILE BENUE BURNS
Owing to the heightened tension
and insecurity in Benue, President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2018, ordered
Idris to relocate to the state to check the reported cases of attacks.
However, Idris only spent a day
in the state and returned to Abuja. Days after his return, pictures of him
cutting his 59th birthday cake appeared online, while the state recorded more
killings after his departure. He reminded Nigerians of the Nero, the Roman
Emperor, who fiddled while Rome burned.
In Nigeria, Nero cuts cake, while
Benue burned.
When he failed to appear before
the senate, Senate President Bukola Saraki, said Idris is known to flout
orders.
The senate had summoned the IGP
on two different occasions — to brief them on the travails of Dino Melaye,
senator representing Kogi west, and on the security situation in the country —
but he sent a representative.
“Again, we cannot say it is just
to us because the president told us that he told him to go to Benue and the man
refused to go,” Saraki had said.
President Buhari would later
confirm that he found out late that Idris disobeyed presidential orders.
IDRIS ‘FALLS IN LOVE’, MARRIES POLICE OFFICER
In October 2017, Isah Misau,
senator representing Bauchi central, accused the IGP of having an affair with
two policewomen whom he reportedly gave special promotion.
The senator said Idris married
one Asta, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), an act which he says
contravenes the Police Act.
Misau alleged that the police
chief had a secret wedding with Asta because she was “four months pregnant” for
him.
But the IGP said no law prevents
him from marrying a serving policewoman, and that he is also religiously
allowed to marry up to four wives.
The family of the wife also said
that the wedding was done publicly and a marriage certificate was issued.
TheCable fact-checked the
allegations and found that Misau’s claim that the marital affair is contrary to
the provisions of the Nigeria Police Act is false.
BATTLE WITH PEACE CORPS
Idris never wanted the Peace
Corps of Nigeria (PCN) and he made no attempt to disguise his position about
the organisation.
The PCN was involved in various
controversies since the bill came to limelight at the national assembly.
Idris described it as a threat to
Nigeria’s security, saying the corps ran against laws in the process of its
establishment.
In June 2018, the police sealed
off the PCN’s headquarters in Abuja and despite two court orders and a
resolution passed by the house of representatives, the police refused to unseal
the office.
A month later, the police and
members of the corps clashed in Abuja during the 20th anniversary of the PCN. A
similar occurrence also happened in 2017
After the many setbacks witnesses
by the corps, Buhari, in February 2018, rejected the bill proposing the establishment
of the agency.
The president cited security
concerns and financial burden of funding the organisation as his reasons for
rejecting the bill.
Idris might have had an influence
on the president’s decision.
NIGERIA IS SECURE
Twice, despite the security
challenges in the country, Idris said the country was secure.
First was in September 2017, when
clashes between clashes between security operatives and the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB) erupted in Abia and Rivers states.
Idris had said there was no
tension in the country after a meeting with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
“Which country, this Nigeria? No.
Nigeria does not have tension. At least you are in Abuja you have gone around
there is no tension,” he had said.
In January 2018, despite the
continued attack and unrest in several parts of the country, Idris, again, said
the country was secure.
“I think Nigeria is well secure.
I have to be frank. I think what we should be praying for is for Nigerians to
learn to live in peace with each other, I think is very important,” he said.
TENURE EXTENSION
The most recent controversy that
trailed Idris is the proposed extension of his tenure.
The IGP was appointed by Buhari
in March 2016 and was expected to retire on January 3 when he reached the
mandatory 35 years.
However, Idris arrived at his
office on January 3, fuelling speculations that there are plans to extend his
tenure.
Commenting on the extension of
tenure of the service chiefs, Buhari said he had not changed them because he
was being careful.
He also said he was not afraid of
Idris, saying he would take appropriate action.
Nigerians will definitely miss
Ibrahim Idris and his controversies. Salute!
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