LAGOS JUNE 21ST (URHOBOTODAY)-The new police helmsman, Alhaji Ibrahim Katung Idris was the former Commissioner of police in charge of Kano State police command.
He was promoted recently to the coveted position of Assistant Inspector General, (AIG) His promotion was one of such steps taken by the IGP Solomon Arase that had elicited excitement in the force and among members of the public who knew his pedigree in Kano.
Idris is well respected by a cross section of law-abiding citizens of Kano. Kano residents once described him as a ‘quintessential cop’. His promotion to the rank of an AIG then was widely hailed as a dissevering reward for exemplary dedication, competence and professionalism.
Especially gratifying to pundits and those conversant with appointments in the Police Force, is the posting of Idris to assist a tested Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, Mr. Wakama in the Federal Operations, which, like the Infantry of the Army, is the heart beat of the Police Force.
Coming on this critical assignment with a glowing resume of experience as well as garlands acquired within and outside of Nigeria, Idris must have been deemed ‘the best man for the job’ by President Muhamadu Buhari that took the decision make him the 19th indigenous Inspector General of police
A member of the Cadet Course 1984 who had held command positions especially in the Mobile Police Force units, Police Training Institutions and in the state commands, the new IGP had equally seen service outside the shores of the country.
He had served as Mission Police Operation Co-coordinator of the United Nations Mission in Liberia and as Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations, UN Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT). Widely celebrated in Kano where he had the unique distinction of having served as Commissioner of Police on two occasions.
He was referred to as the chief cop that made life unbearable for criminals especially in the wake of the Boko Haram invasion, not a few were surprised that the ravaging inferno of the ethnic militia, Ombatse, in Nassarawa state quickly fizzled out on his arrival as the police boss few years ago.
Alhaji Ibrahim Katung Idris as the new IGP must soberly hearken to the words of advice from pundits; “To whom much is given, much is expected”.
“In other words, as the operations department of the police is expected to play the function of the arrow head of the police under the new dispensation of change blowing across the country, Idris is being looked upon to put on his best, tighten his girdle in midwifing the vision of change and tackling head on the rampaging Cattle herdsmen, kidnapping and other violent crimes.