The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba, on Tuesday ordered the immediate redeployment of 33 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to various Police formations across the country. Political Economist inquiry showed that the IGP took the steps to shield the cops from political contamination as some of the commissioners were allegedly hobnobbing with politicians ahead of the general elections.

Announcing the redeployment in a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Emmanuel Ojukwu, explained that the exercise was in line with the determination and drives to enhance the administrative and operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.

“IGP Suleiman Abba has with immediate effect redeployed some Commissioners of Police (CPs) to Commands and Formations across the country.”

The Police boss also charged the affected officers to stay clear of partisan politics, “or you would have yourself to blame. You are a Policeman, and not a Politician. If you want to go into Politics, please give me your uniform first.”

The former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sam Okaula, who was in charge of the Delta State Police Command’s Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) has been moved to Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. He is to head the General Investigations Unit as the Commissioner of Police (CP).

Similarly, Ibrahim Idris, formally of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) at the Force Headquarters Abuja, has been redeployed to Kano State as the Commissioner of Police (CP), Kano State Command.

The state also stated that, the former Commissioner of Police (CP) Oyo State Command, Adetunde K. Shodipo, has equally been moved to Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The postings according to the statement are in line with efforts to reposition the Force, fill vacancies created as a result of promotion of some officers recently. “Also some of the Officers proceeding on course at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos as well as posting of returning Senior Officers from NIPSS.”

It would be recalled that the Police high Command in Abuja, had last month announced the immediate re-deployment of some 28 Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) across the country.

The move was contained in a press Statement, dated January 20th, and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Emmanuel Ojukwu who described the exercise as part of an ongoing reorganization in the Nigeria Police Force.

The release further stated that the redeployment followed the recent promotion of some senior officers and vacancies occasioned by retirements.