By Tony Ubani
THE appointment of Mohammed D. Abubakar, a former board member of the Nigeria Football Association, and chairman of Security Committee of the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Nigeria ’99 as the new Inspector General of Police has been hailed by the Nigerian sports community.

President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari said, yesterday, that Abubakar would use his experience and love for sports to transform the Nigerian Police as well as bring in lasting peace to the Nigerian people who have been traumatised by the high level of insecurity.

“FIFA preaches about fair play and I know that he is going to be fair in the discharge of his duties. He is a broad-minded officer who will achieve results. Honestly, a Daniel has come to judgement,” Maigari said.

The new Inspector General served as a board member during the tenure of Col Abdulmuminu Aminu-led NFA and was in the vanguard of curbing hooliganism in football. “He is a hard-working, intelligent cop. I am over-joyed because he will use his position to revitalize the Police Machine, the football team of the Nigerian Police that produced many excellent footballers and sports men and women.

If you remember, late Sunday Bada and Chioma Ajunwa, the two gold medallists Nigeria has ever produced are products of the Nigerian Police. With Abubakar, Nigerian sports will not be the same again”, Barrister Nwabufor Obienu, the former Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association submitted.

Also, former Scribe of the NFA, Honourable Sani Toro said that as a well bred officer who is sports inclined, M.D Abubakar would bring joy to the Nigerian populace by making the Nigerian Police a more friendly Force. “Abubakar has the charisma and he is a go-getter. For us in sports, he is the best man for the job”.