Police: IGP did not pay N2bn for tenure extension

Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), did not pay N2 billion for his tenure to be extended, Frank Mba, police spokesman, said on Monday.

Mba said the IGP’s tenure was extended “strictly on the prerogative of the president”.

Adamu was due to retire last Monday, having spent the maximum 35 years prescribed by the civil service rules.

He, however, got President Muhammadu Buhari’s nod to remain in office for another three months, after which reports emerged online that he paid for the tenure extension.

Reacting to the reports, the police spokesman said in a statement: “The Force wishes to state categorically that the extension of service of the IGP was strictly the prerogative of the President and was never paid for as maliciously reported in the publication.

“The insinuations … that the IGP did not “celebrate” his extension smacks of ignorance and a pathetic misplacement of priority.

“The extension does not call for merry-making or celebration but a time for more work, rededication to duty and selfless service to the nation.”

The IGP said the police under his leadership remains committed to “improved service delivery, safety and security of the citizenry”.

“The IGP is undistracted and the Force remains motivated and committed to delivering on its mandate, especially the task of neutralising current and emerging internal security threats,” Mba said, adding that the IGP “has directed his legal team to commence legal actions against the online publishers.”