President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Sulieman Abba, a former inspector-general of police (IGP), as chairman of the Police Trust Fund board.
In a statement on Wednesday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said the appointment is in furtherance of Buhari’s commitment “to retooling policing architecture in the country.”
He listed other members of the board as: Ahmed Sokoto, executive secretary; Nnamdi Mbaeri, representative of police affairs ministry; Mohammed Adamu, inspector-general of police (IGP); Usman Bilkisu, representative of justice ministry; Ben Akabueze; representative of finance, budget and national planning ministry; Mansur Ahmed, representative of organised labour; and Michael Bamidele Adebiyi, representative of civil society group.
Shehu said Muhammad Dingyadi, minister of police affairs, would announce a date the board would be inaugurated.
“Pursuant to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of retired Inspector-General of Police, Barrister Suleiman Abba, CFR, Mni, as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund,” he said.
“The above appointments are in furtherance of the Buhari administration’s commitment and drive to retooling Policing Architecture in the country by emplacing the Police Trust Fund to meet the aspiration of a well-funded, equipped and highly professional Nigeria Police Force in line with international best practices.
“This objective informed President Buhari’s re-establishment of the Ministry of Police Affairs on August 20, 2019.
“The president also commended state governors, members of the National Assembly and Nigerians for their patriotic and spirited efforts at reforming Policing Architecture to deepen the country’s internal security.”
In 2018, the former IGP sought the Jigawa central senatorial ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost.
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan had fired him for showing support for Buhari shortly after the 2015 elections.