Earlier on Tuesday, the acting IGP, Mohammed Adamu, said the police under his watch would be professional and fair to all parties while providing security for the general elections beginning on February 16.
Adamu stated that there were rules of engagement for the Nigeria Police, adding they would be strictly applied in dealing with security matters. He stressed that the police would not pander to the desires of any groups or interests.
He was decorated by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa. Idris, who was appointed IG in 2016, bowed out on Tuesday as he retired from service at the age of 60 years.
Adamu had gone to see Buhari in company with Idris, shortly before the new IG was decorated.
The decoration took place after Adamu had earlier on Tuesday morning met briefly with the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abba Kyari.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the decoration, Adamu stated, “Well, we are professionals. We are going to stick to the rules. We are going to do the right thing; we will not go outside the ethics of our job to do things that are untoward. Everybody will be given a level playing field to play his or her politics.”
Asked to speak on the strategies in place for the elections, Adamu replied, “On the elections, you have heard from the former IG; adequate arrangements have been made to make sure that free and fair and credible elections take place in Nigeria.
“We are going to build on the strategies put in place to make sure that we have hitch-free elections in the country.”
On his part, Idris bade Nigerians goodbye, saying that he handed over to an officer he knew so well and had the training to head the police.
Idris advised his successor to go round the country and adopt measures to ensure that the police “gives maximum protection to lives and property.”
Adamu’s appointment ended weeks of speculation and suspicion over the alleged plan by Buhari to extend Idris tenure.