Updated: Buhari returns to Abuja after 16 days in London

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the new acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to work to meet the high expectation of Nigerians in him.

The President gave the charge on his arrival in Nigeria from his medical trip in the United Kingdom (UK) Thursday evening.

Buhari returned to Abuja from the United Kingdom 16 days after he left for a medical check-up.

He left Nigeria on Tuesday, March 30, briefly after a security meeting with defense and intelligence chiefs as well as other security sector managers.

Responding to journalists at the airport, the President went through the process that produced the new acting IGP, noting that he had been part of the system all along and has all required experience to secure the country.

“Well, we went through the system, there was a committee by the Minister of Police Affairs, they gave me some names and he happened to be the one chosen.

“He knows his job, he has been in it for a long time, he went through all the trainings. He has the necessary experience. So, we have a high expectation from him,” he said.

Speaking on the performance of the new Service Chiefs, the President said they have so far tried their best to relieve the country of the current security crises, hoping their best would be enough to steady the country.

“Oh yes, they have been in the system all the way, they know what is wrong, they know what is right and I think they are doing their best. I hope their best will be good enough for Nigeria,” he said.

Asked about his medical trip to the UK, the President said: “It went very well,” adding his return to his duties would witness continuity.

The President’s aircraft touched ground at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja about 4:45pm Thursday.

Those at the airport to welcome him include the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Malam Muhammed Bello and the National Security Adviser to the President, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd).

Others were the Service Chiefs, acting Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba; Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufa’i, the Director General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi and other presidential aides.

The President, after a brief welcoming ceremony at the airport, boarded a presidential helicopter that conveyed him to the Presidential Villa.