Imminent Shake Up At Lagos Police Command As CP Alabi Takes Over

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

There are indications of imminent shake up and deployment of the Police officers at the Lagos State Command as the new Commissioner of Police, CP Sylvester Abodiun Alabi, takes over from AIG, Hakeem Odumosu at the weekend.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the posting of CP Alabi to Lagos State Police Command as the new Commissioner of Police in-charge of the State.

According to Police sources, some senior Police officers have already known that there will be changes and have started parking their belongings from their offices in view of the fact the CP Alabi will be coming with his trusted officers, who will assist him to make his job easy in the State.

The sources also stated that the Police boss may likely make some changes at the various Divisions in the State in order to consolidate and enhance his supervisory role of the officers in the State. It was not certain if the Area Commands will be affected as their posting comes from the Police Headquarters in Abuja but CP Alabi may make such request and it will granted to make his work efficient.

The posting is coming on the heels of the recent promotion by the Police Service Commission, including 2 Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, 6 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 17 Commissioners of Police.

CP Alabi Abiodun, the new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, is a fellow of the National Defence College and a member of Nigeria Institute of Management. An alumnus of the University of Lagos where he studied Sociology and a Masters Degree holder from Obafemi Awolowo University.

 CP Alabi was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force in 1990 as a cadet officer. He has served in various capacities within the Force which include, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Police Mobile Force, Force Headquarters, Abuja; DCP Admin Taraba and Bayelsa Commands respectively, and as DCP Operations, Ekiti State Command before his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police. Until his recent redeployment, he was the CP Administration, FCID Abuja.
CP Alabi was not the only Police officer posted to State Commands, others posted included CP Haruna Gabriel Garba and CP Akinwale Tajudeen Abass for Yobe and Benue States respectively. 

Garba holds a Masters Degree in International Relations from the University of Uyo. He was also appointed as a cadet officer in 1990 and has served in various operational, investigative, and administrative capacities within the Force. Prior to his elevation to the rank of Commissioner of Police, he was the DCP SCID, Yobe State Command.

CP Akinwale Tajudeen Abass, the new Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, was a former DCP State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at the Oyo and Ogun State Commands respectively. He has also served as the AC SCID, Delta State Command and also as the Area Commander, Area C, Surulere, Lagos State Command, amongst others. 

The IGP has charged the newly posted officers to ensure they consolidate and improve on the gains of their predecessors, particularly in the areas of crime fighting and public safety. He further charged the officers to ensure their leadership roles in their new areas of assignment upholds policing virtues of professionalism, respect for rule of law and citizens’ rights. The IGP enjoined citizens to render support and cooperation to the new Police helmsmen to enable them effectively deliver on their mandate.

In a statement by the Force PPRO, CP Frank Mba, he stated that the posting of the affected Senior Police Officers was with immediate effect and CP Alabi has since taken over the Lagos State Command.