UN awardee, lover of agric… meet the new IGP who believes most ‘almajiris’ are foreigners

Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, the new inspector general of police (IGP), is a man of many sides. A lover and keeper of peace, a mix breed, and may just be the solution to Nigeria’s security problems.

On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari named Idris to succeed Solomon Arase, who was the only security chief to survive Buhari’s sacking storm, when the president took office.

With Arase bowing out on Tuesday, Buhari immediately met with Arase and Idris on the way forward for policing in Nigeria. But, who exactly is the man set to fill Arase’s boots?

DEGREES IN AGRICULTURE AND LAW

Education would not be a challenge for our new sheriff, who knows it for what it is and believes strongly in its value. This is reflected in his attainment of two university degrees in two totally different fields, but must be handy for him today.

Idris graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied Agricultural Economics, before proceeding to University of Maiduguri for a degree in Law.

He joined the Nigerian police force in 1984, and quickly became the district police officer (DPO) in Sokoto state, before he was mobilised into the police mobile force (MOPOL) in 1987.

UN AWARDEE WITH BLAZING INTERNATIONAL RECORDS

As a lawyer and fast rising police officer, with trainings in peace and conflict resolutions, Idris was sent on foreign missions to help the United Nations (UN) peace keeping teams in Liberia, during the bloody civil war, which threatened the existence of the west African nation.

Idris was said to have excelled as the operations’ coordinator of the United Nations Mission in Liberia.

During his seven-year time at the UN, Idris was given over a dozen recommendations and a number of awards, including the medal of merit by the President of the Republic of East Timor.

He returned to Nigeria as director, even while he was just a deputy commissioner of police.

IDRIS BELIEVES MOST ALMAJIRIS ARE FOREIGNERS

Idris was soon promoted and posted as the commissioner of police in Kano, that was at a time when Boko Haram was ravaging the state. The new acting IG was able to restore peace to the state.

In an interview with PM News, Idris alleged that the Almajiri system breeds terrorism and is being driven mostly by foreigners.

“On the Almajiri system, it is important to note that most of the almajiris migrate from Chad, Sudan, Niger Republic and Mali. These people were separated from their parents very early in life,” he had said.

“They grew up in very harsh environments and you see them walking the streets, begging for alms. They have no means of livelihood and have plenty of idle time.

“I think it is important to address the almajiri issue. I am not saying the almajiri system is out of order. I am saying that the government and religious organisations have a duty to reform the system so as to stop it from being used as a breeding ground for criminals. When we tackle the almajiri menace, it will be a big step further in the fight against crime and social violence.”

THE MAN FOR SUCH TROUBLED TIMES?

Arase promoted Idris to the post of assistant inspector general (AIG) only last year. The former police boss was full of praise for his successor, speaking of him as a “younger man, abreast of contemporary policing issues”.

As a peace keeper, a lawyer, and a trained agriculturist, Idris may just be the three-in-one man Nigeria needs to bring itself out of raging herdsmen attacks in different parts of the country.