True to News Express' exclusive report of two days ago, Suleiman Abba, until yesterday the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, has emerged as the new Inspector-General of Police. He succeeds Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, who completed the maximum allowed 35 years of service yesterday.

Abba’s appointment is yet to be officially announced but the signal has already reached Louis Edet House, Headquarters of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Suleiman was driven to Louis Edet House with escort this morning,” a top source told News Express, adding that “after meeting with out-going IGP Abubakar, he was driven with escort to the Aso Presidential Villa.”

The appointment of Abba effectively ended the careers of all the Deputy Inspectors General of Police. “All DIGs went home from the office without flags this morning, indicating that their careers have come to an end,” the source revealed.

The mood at Louis Edet House is somber as many officers had kicked against Abba’s appointment, arguing that it is wrong to shut out Christians and southerners from the position as has been the case for several years now.

News Express had on Tuesday broken the news of Abba’s imminent appointment in a story entitled ‘IGP Abubakar presents AIG Suleiman Abba to President Jonathan as successor •Senior police officers, South-South leaders kick’.

Part of the story read: “As he prepares for the end of his service on July 31, out-going Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar has presented a dark horse to President Goodluck Jonathan as his preferred successor.

“Credible sources close to both the Presidency and the top hierarchy of the Nigerian Police disclosed that Abubakar has been pushing for the AIG Zone 7 Suleiman Abba from Jigawa State as the next IGP.

“News Express learnt that after extensive lobby of those very close to Dr. Jonathan, the out-going IGP was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last week Wednesday, July 23, with AIG Abba, apparently to physically present him to the President.”

Abba’s appointment was expected to be made public yesterday but those opposed to it mounted a fierce lobby for DIG Mike Zuokumor, DIG Operations, and Force Secretary, AIG Dan Azumi Doma.

President Goodluck Jonathan, however, finally settled for Abba following the intervention of several prominent Northern Muslims, including former First Lady Maryam Abacha, whom he once served as Aide-de-Camp when the late head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, was in power.

Abba at various times served as the Commissioner of Police in charge of Rivers State, Deputy Force Secretary, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Deputy Force Secretary), and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of State CID, FCT Police Command.

•Photo shows new IGP Suleiman Abba.