By Kolawole Ojebisi
The reins of leadership at the Lagos Police Command has changed hands amidst power tussle rocking the state’s House of Assembly.
This is as the Police Service Commission (PSC) approved the appointment of Moshood Jimoh as the new commissioner of police for Lagos state.
This development is contained in a statement issued by PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, on Monday.
According to Ani, Jimoh has undergone the necessary trainings and has the experience required for the job.
“He has undergone several professional trainings which include; Combat operations Course, Mobile Training College Maiduguri; African Union Mission in Darfur Sudan; Weapons of mass destruction counter measure first responder Training Institute, United States; training on social construction and management Reform China Executive Leadership Academy, Pudong China; Training on Maritime Rescue and salvage for Developing Countries, China Maritime Academy Ningbo, China and Training on anti-hijacking techniques and tactics for developing countries, Yunnan Police College kunmung, China.
“He was also at the Police training Institute, Seoul South Korea,” the statement reads.
Until his appointment, Jimoh was the commissioner of police, ports authority, eastern ports.
Jimoh, a former force public relations officer, is an indigene of Kwara state.
He has held the positions of deputy commissioner for airport police, deputy commissioner for finance and administration, and deputy commissioner for general investigation.
Jimoh is a recipient of the presidential award for public relations personality “in recognition of his qualities and outstanding contribution to the development and use of public relations” by the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
Though PSC did not state the reason for the sudden decision, the move may not be unrelated to the leadership crisis at the state assembly.
The New Diplomat had earlier reported how security operatives sealed the speaker’s office as speculation grew over Meranda’s possible resignation.
Police and task force officers were stationed in vehicles around the complex, with some patrolling the premises to maintain order.
Meranda became the first female speaker of the Lagos assembly on January 13, after Mudashiru Obasa was removed while he was out of the country.
On his return, Obasa challenged the process, arguing that due procedure was not followed and insisting that he remains the legitimate speaker of the house.
