by Doyin Jaiyesimi

Mohammadu Dahiru Abubakar, Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police Force, wants to be as close to Nigerians as he can get. He has released what is believed to be his personal number to the public; a first for an IG in Nigeria. Nigerians can now have access to the IG whenever they want. What better time to release his number than now when the country is facing serious security challenges? The IG has charged all Nigerians who have security challenges to contact him directly. They can also report any policeman or officer that is found engaging in one corrupt practice or the other.

Abubakar’s phone number was released at the Force Headquarters in Kaduna where he inspected weapons recovered by the police from suspected bombers. The IG is determined to completely reform the Nigeria Police Force in other to salvage what is left of its battered image. As commendable as his efforts may be, one wonders how releasing his number to the public will yield the desired results. How will the IG be able to answer calls from more than 167 million Nigerians whilst being preoccupied with other pressing security matters at the same time? Furthermore, will calling the IG when someone is being robbed improve the police’s response time and ability to handle the situation? This is one unwarranted PR move.

As suspected, the number does not work. We’ve called the number several times to no avail; it is switched off. Maybe the IG, after being burdened with numerous phone calls, could not take the heat and decided to turn off the phone or worse, discard it completely.

You can call the IG on 08059666666. Let’s know if you get through to him.