By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor and Swill Mavua
The new Acting Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim, at a first glance, wears a fearful domineering mien.  In fact, his mustache, prominently positioned on a seemingly handsome face, easily paints a picture of an uncompromising, no-nonsense Police officer.

However, beneath these impressions, lies a humane spirit, with an enchanting and alluring aura.

The new Police boss, on a closer look, exudes charming personae and you cannot fail to notice his easy disposition to jokes that will throw you off balance.

Most importantly, he is not just a thorough-bread officer but, a stickler to justice, fair-play and professional contentment.  You cannot just fail to also notice that you are dealing with a sound and well grounded operational Police officer.

Getting this first exclusive interview from him was a herculean task as he insisted on “being allowed to face the challenges ahead”.   But, he nevertheless, lived up to expectations by providing answers to burning issues agitating the minds of Nigerians after he was appointed the acting Police boos.

Excerpts:

How did you feel when you were made the new Inspector-General of Police?

I was happy and thankful to Almighty Allah and President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, for finding me worthy of the exalted office of IGP. Indeed I felt even more humbled by the confidence reposed in me

Were you expecting it?

The moment I joined the Police as a Cadet Inspector in 1977, I got committed to my duty; and I have always put in my best efforts in all assignments given to me. Naturally, every public servant expects to get to the pinnacle of his chosen career.

I have always known that hard work has its reward. I thank God that I was chosen to occupy this position as the 15th indigenous Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

How do you look at the challenges ahead?

The job of policing Nigeria as an emerging democracy and regional power is indeed Herculean. To be at the helm of affairs of a large law enforcement organization like ours is definitely not a tea-party.

I am aware the challenges ahead could be enormous and daunting, but I am undaunted and optimistic that with the support of my management team, coupled with the generous collaboration of all peace-loving Nigerians, the task ahead will be overcome.

The pattern of appointing an IGP and weeding off a generation of other well experienced officers as a professional, how do you look at it?

The constitution is clear that the president shall appoint an IGP from among serving members of the Force. That provision has not been violated.

You came in when the Police was taking a lot of bashing, left, right and center, how do you feel and what do you think was responsible for that.  What is the way out?

The Nigeria Police like other similar organisations has always been the whipping boy of the society. We are always in the limelight, given our visibility in all nooks and crannies of the country.

It is understandable that we are not a perfect outfit, but I doubt if there are perfect outfits elsewhere. While we have been criticized for some of our inadequacies, we have also received generous commendations for our efforts. I believe that as we daily improve on our skills and competencies, moderate our attitudes and deliver better services to Nigerians, the spate of criticism will abate. And we are working hard in this direction

How do you hope to silence grumblings in the Force before you came in, like delay in promotion, etc?

To my knowledge, there are no grumblings in the Force with regard to promotion or other welfare issues. As members of a disciplined organization, policemen and women do know, and utilize appropriate channels of ventilating their grievances.

Our internal complaints mechanism is working very well. Promotion exercises are on-going.

Just few days before you assumed duties, your predecessor clamped down on Police check points in some areas in the country. What is your stand on this? If the ban should continue, how would you ensure Police visibility in those highways?  If not, how are you going to check the excesses of your men there?

The issue of police check points is part of our crime prevention strategy. While it may create some inconveniences and challenges on our image, we have recorded many successes in that regard. We do believe that with improved technological base of the country and the availability of modern facilities, we shall continue to appraise the viability and necessity of check points on our roads.

As regards street-level corruption and other inappropriate behaviours which have been reported at check points, there are new measures being put in place to address the menace.

The issue of election is uppermost in everybody’s mind now, how prepared is the Force to face the challenges ahead?

The success of 2011 election is uppermost in the minds of almost all Nigerians and the international community, given Nigeria’s prominence in the comity of nations.

The Nigeria Police identify with this concern and are determined to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the citizenry. We are well positioned to handle the challenges of the forth-coming elections, having regard to our previous successes in similar exercises in the recent past.

As events unfold, we shall keep re-strategising, but I can assure you that our proactive approach will ensure that Nigerians are not disappointed.

Don’t you think the Force needs extra funds to meet up with its responsibilities especially in the area of equipment?

For far too long, lack of logistics for policing the nation has been a common knowledge.

The financial outlay for managing the Police is enormous. But we are happy that the present interest and intervention of the federal government will reposition our equipment holding, and place us in a good pedestal to provide better quality service.

Skeptics have been saying you came in to conduct election for your friend, President Jonathan, how far is this true?

I do not know where the skeptics got their impression from. I want to assure you that I am here as the IG to serve the safety and security needs of Nigerians.

Let’s talk about the welfare of your men, what should we look forward to?

The police reform is holistic and is addressing many issues including personnel welfare. It is expected that very soon all grey areas will be sorted out.

How are you going to tackle rising cases of extra-judicial killings in the country?

There are no rising cases of extra-judicial execution within the force. We are aware that some officers have got involved in professional misconduct, and they are paying dearly for it.

Our job is to save life, and not to take it. Our ethics and code of conduct are clear that whoever misuses or abuses his power, or whoever uses force unjustifiably, will face severe sanctions. The Nigeria Police have never compromised on this.

How are you going to improve the relationship between the Police, the Police Service Commission and the Ministry of Police Affairs?

The NPF will always strive to improve the relationship between her and the parent ministry, on the one hand, and with the Police Service Commission on the other.

There is no schism among us, as we are all created to meet the same goals.

Please, enlighten Nigerians on why the Police Force should not be decentralized at this stage of our development

We are working to improve on our service delivery using the present channels of communication

As the former AIG in charge o South-East where kidnapping has taken the center stage, what are the major obstacles facing your men in fighting kidnapping and what should we expect from you now that you are wholly in charge of the Force?

The issue of kidnapping for ransom has been a thorn in the flesh of the Police, particularly in the South-east region.

There have been many factors contributory to this, and many impediments towards its quick resolution. The Police will continue to address the menace squarely, and we are working to minimize the occurrence and restore peace to the area. This calls for active collaboration of all and sundry, as the police alone cannot solve crime.

How are you going to check extortion and bribery in the Force, should we expect any magic ward?

Corruption is prevalent in every segment of our economy. The good news is that no single sector can afford to tolerate it. The Nigeria Police will continue to fight against the evil, both internally and externally.

This idea of officers going for promotion examinations as pronounced by the Police Service Commission, what are the merits?

To have officers examined prior to promotion is a government policy, and we shall abide by it. Its merits will soon be manifest.

Generally, what should Nigerians and the world expect from your leadership of the Nigeria Police Force?

In a few days time, I shall unveil my blueprint for the Force, but suffice it to say that my administration shall be all-inclusive, and adopt a proactive approach to policing.

Nigerians would like to know you better, who is Hafiz Abubakar Ringim?

I am a humble Nigerian who believes in hard work and that there should be decency in the conduct of human affairs. When I am through with my present assignment, you can expect to read my memoirs

Some Policemen were reportedly arrested over the issue of incessant kidnappings in the South-East.  As the man in charge then, kindly oblige us with the details.  How far have you gone with your investigation so far?

Some officers arrested in connection with some misconduct have been dealt with in accordance with the law.