₦airaland Forum

TRIBUTE: LATE IGP KAM SALEM GCON. First Inspector General of Police from the North(1924 - July, 1981)

July, 2025 marked the 44th year of the death of this notable Nigerian who is the first northerner to attained the rank of Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force, and the 2nd, after IGP Louis Edet. He is also the longest serving Inspector General of Police (1966 - 1975).

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION:
He was born on February 26th, 1924 in the Ngala area of the old Borno Province. Upon completion of the mandatory Quaranic education, he was enrolled in Dikwa Elementary School (1932 - 1937) for his Primary education. He was then admitted into Borno Middle School, Maiduguri which he completed successfully in 1942.

On completion of the post-primary education, he joined the Native Police Force in April, 1942. In the course of his career spanning over three decades, he attended several courses and trainings both in the country and abroad. Courses and trainings attended includes;
- Northern Police College, Kaduna
- Ryton College, Dunsmore, UK
- Police College, Scotland
- Several Specialist Courses in UK over the years

DISTINGUISHED WORKING CAREER:
He started as a Constable and rose through the ranks to the enviable apex position of Inspector General of Police in September, 1966.

After, attending Officers Training, he was posted to Kano as a Detective. He was among the two Nigerian Policemen that represented the country at the British Industries Fair in London (1950).

His resume ran thus;
- Constable (Detective) 1942 - 50
- Sub-Inspector1950-53
- Assistant Supritendant of Police 1953 - 55
- Deputy Supritendant of Police 1955-1958
- Supritendant of Police 1958-60
- Chief Supritendant of Police 1960-1961
- Assistant Commissioner of Police 1961
- Deputy Commissioner of Police 1962
- Commissioner of Police 1962-1965
- Deputy Inspector General of Police July, 1965
- Inspector General of Police September, 1966
- Due to the crisis and tension in the country aftermath of the first coup and counter-coup, and imminent civil war looming, he was appointed also as the Federal Commissioner for Internal Affairs; a position he held concurrently with the duties of Inspector General of Police.

In this regard, he became a Member of the Supreme Military Council (SMC) and Member of the Federal Executive Council.
He was the President, International Police Association, Nigerian Branch, and also, Member, International Association of Chiefs of Police.

He performed creditably well and positioned the Police Force to take the lead in handling Internal Security, and also, coordinated the establishment and repositioning of other Security outfits like the Immigration, Prisons and Customs. He retired from both the two positions following the coup that ousted the General Yakubu Gowon Administration in 1975.

He was elected ro represent Monguno-Ngala Constituency in the 1977 Constituent Assembly. He joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and was the party’s gubernatorial flag-bearer, which he lost to Alhaji Muhammadu Goni of Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP).

AWARDS AND HONOURS:
He received several awards and honours amongst which includes; Independent Medal for Distinguished Service, Commander, Order of St . John, and Grand Commander of the Order of Niger (GCON)

His death sadly occured at a period his services were still required by the country. He was fifty seven years old. May Allah grant him Aljanna Firdausi, Ameen

COPIED FROM WALL OF:
ABDULLAHI BALA ISA

Racoon:
Many young citizens may not know this man,but he is a historic figure. The former Force Headquarters building - Kam Salem House @ Obalende, Ikoyi - Lagos Island was named in his honour. Rest on sir.

Racoon:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HtBjWVJpM/

johngwain:
Honestly the man climbed real fast from constable to IG, that was when things were working in naija, u don't need any godfather to be promoted

ohosi4real:
Louis Edet is the first inspector General of police in Nigeria.

johngwain:
Honestly the man climbed real fast from constable to IG, that was when things were working in naija, u don't need any godfather to be promoted

ohosi4real:
Louis Edet is the first inspector General of police in Nigeria.

Racoon:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HtBjWVJpM/

napoleon77:
Louis Edet was the first indigenous IGP and not Kam Salem.

Racoon:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HtBjWVJpM/

Racoon:
Many young citizens may not know this man,but he is a historic figure. The former Force Headquarters building - Kam Salem House @ Obalende, Ikoyi - Lagos Island was named in his honour. Rest on sir.

cuteboy2:
Stop spreading the usual Nigerian lies. We love to lie about everything to favour specific sections of the country.

The first indigenous IGP was Loius Orok Edet from Calabar, Cross River State. He served from 1964-1966. Kam Salem took over in 1966. How can someone who took over be the first.

Unfortunately we teach these lies to our children in social studies curriculum in primary and secondary schools.

A simple Google search will reveal the truth. This is why when the named the Police HQ in Lagos after Kam Salem, after labelling him as first IGP, there was national outcry against the injustice. Out of shame, they had to name the newer one at Abuja after Louis Orok Edet.

This is one of the reasons Nigeria cannot prosper. We call black white, and white, black.

professorPABX:
Nairaland moderators and the person who posted this falsehood knows.

That is the benefit of Southern Presidency. OBASANJO made the correction despite heavy opposition.

The Family of Kam Salem said Shagari promised the family that whenever Force Headquarters is moved to Abuja, the name would be retained. The minority group from AkwaIbom/Cross River axis pleaded for recognition of the meritorious services of the man. That was how Louis Edet House came. Most of us never knew such man existed in the History of Nigeria.