*I’ll will ensure Nigeria is safe – Idris
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris as the new acting Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Until his appointment, the new acting IGP was an Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of operations at the force headquarters.
The new acting IGP met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed-door at the Presidential Villa in Abuja at 2.21pm on Tuesday in company of the outgoing IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase.
Idris told State House correspondents after the meeting with the President that he would lead the police professionally and ensure that the system is governed by internationally recognised core values of policing.
He said: “We are going to do everything possible to ensure that we provide the best service to this country. That is the issue of integrity and accountability, issue of respect for diversity, issue of compassion, issues of ensuring that our streets, our neighbourhoods, our communities remain safe,” he said.
The outgoing police boss, Mr. Solomon Arase said the new acting police boss is competent and fully equipped with modern techniques of policing, and appealed to Nigerians to give him the same cooperation he enjoyed while on the saddle.
He said: “I want to formally introduce my successor, AIG Idris Kpotum, he is going to be in acting capacity until the Police Council confirms him. I want to cease this opportunity to thank Nigerians for the cooperation given me while I serve as Inspector General of Police, by extension I want to also appeal to you to give the same support that you gave to me to my successor. He is a younger man so I am sure he will be abreast with the contemporary policing issues.”
The acting Inspector-General, who hails from Kutigi, Lavun in Niger State, was born on 15th of January 1959, and was enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a Bachelors degree in Agriculture. He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri.
Idris has served in various commands and formations in the Nigerian Police Force, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17 years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, and Commandant. He served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano States and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters.
He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service.
