The Nigerian Police Council (NPC) on Thursday in Abuja confirmed the appointment of Mr. Mohammed Abubakar as the substantive Inspector-General of Police.
The decision was taken at the Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The meeting was attended by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Pius Osayande; the 36 state governors and the FCT minister.
Abubakar was appointed in acting capacity by the president on Jan. 25, following the compulsory retirement of his predecessor, Hafiz Ringim and six Deputy Inspectors of Police.
The president had said that the decision was an initial step towards the comprehensive reorganisation and repositioning of the Police to make it more effective and capable of meeting emerging internal security challenges.
Addressing newsmen after his confirmation, the IGP thanked Jonathan and the Council for the confidence reposed in him and assured improvement in security management.
"Let me first thank God Almighty for this opportunity and to thank Mr. President and members of the Nigeria Police Council which consists of all the governors for believing in me that I can be able to do my best in terms of this service, and to thank all Nigerians for their support since I was appointed the Acting Inspector General of Police.
"And today after my confirmation, I want to reassure Nigerians that I will put everything humanly possible and put my best to ensure the improvement of safety and security management in the security of this country.
"To ensure that justice and fair play takes place and to promise all officers and men of the Nigerian Police that I will give the right leadership, quality leadership that they expect to get without fear or favour to anybody and will do justice to all at every given situation.''
Abubakar said the welfare of officers and men was of paramount importance to him, adding that his administration would continue to give priority attention to issues of remunerations, barracks and office accommodation, and transportation of theofficers and men
On the spate of insecurity in the country, Abubakar said the Police would put in more action, vigour, efficiency and effectiveness in their service and performance.
He said the high profile cases of corruption being investigated by the Police would be pursued to logical conclusions.
The IGP added that the Police under his leadership would live up to their constitutional responsibility of fighting crimes and corruption.
Abubakar said the Police would provide adequate security to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible elections during the Edo governorship poll coming up on Saturday.
He said: "we must provide safety and security for voters to be assured that they can come out to cast their votes and discharge their civic responsibilities.
"We have moved massively, men and materials to Edo State to be able to dominate the state and give the people the required safety and security that they should have.''
Abubakar reiterated his position that Nigeria was not ripe for state policing politically and otherwise.
He said the Police administration gave room for the state governors to give lawful instructions that had to do with maintenance of law and order in their domain to Police commissioners in their jurisdiction.
The Commissioners of Police in the states were duty-bound to obey such instructions from the governors, except when they were in doubt and would need clarifications from the police authority.
The IGP said the change in the uniform of the Police was to improve on the image of the service, stressing: ``we are not just changing uniform because the issue of image is key and critical, particularly in an organisation like the Nigerian Police.
"Every country you go, the police is the symbol of government and the people of a country and that is what we want to replicate in this country.'' he said. (NAN)
Daily Trust