‘Frequent change of police commissioners affects security’

The Concerned Indigenes of Anambra has lamented that premature removal of Police Commissioners (COP) in Anambra State was disrupting the state’s security strategies.

It noted that the police hierarchy had changed COPs in the state four times since July 8, 2017. The group, therefore, urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to stick to the Police Service Commission (PSC) Policy Guidelines, which, according to it, recommends a minimum of two-year tenure for a state COP.

A statement by its Chairman Joseph Ndukauba and Secretary Chike Obodoeze reads: “Frequent transfers of Commissioners of Police and instability of their tenure may lead to non-effectiveness of the police top hierarchy in the state as they will not be sure of how long they may stay in office, before being moved again, (thus) they may not be keen on effective planning and supervision of their strategies for ensuring adequate security.

“Between July 8, 2017 and July 5, 2019, a period of two years, three Commissioners of Police were posted to the state – Mr. Garba Umar (July 8, 2017- February 12, 2019); Dandaura Mustapha (January 12, 2019 to July 5, 2019) and then the new CP Abah John who has just assumed duty.

“Subsection V of the PSC Policy Guidelines stipulates that ‘the person appointed to office as Commissioner of Police of a state shall serve for a period not less than two years, except for the reason of retirement or death. The group wonders why in the case of Anambra State, the tenure lasts for only a few months.”

It, however, praised past CPs for keeping the state safe and making it one of the safest and most peaceful states in the country.