AIG Zakarie Malherbe Dies At 84

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zakarie Andiir Malherbe NPM, Mni died at age 84.

AIG Malherbe, according to his family, died on 27 December 2024 at a private hospital in Abuja after a prolonged ailment.

Borno on 17 April 1940, AIG Malherbe Hails from Buruku local government area of Benue State.

He attended Mkar DRCM and St. Bartholomew, Wusassa Primary Schools(1948-1955)

He proceeded to Provisional Secondary School, Alhudahuda, Zaria (1956-1961)

He enlisted as a Cadet Inspector in the Nigeria Police Force in 1962 and rose through the ranks to reach the peak of his career as an Assistant Inspector General of Police.

He undertook a year course, graduating in 1963.

He attended the Investigation and Prosecution Course at NPF Detective School, Kaduna 1964.

Detective and General Duty Course at Police Detective Training School Wakefied, Yorkshire, England, 1964.

Junior Command Course at the Police Staff College, Bramshill, Hampshire, U.K. 1968.

He attended Lecturership Police Methods Practices and Training Programme, Henden Police College, London, U.K. 1974.

Police Management Sciences Diploma Course, International Police Academy, Washington D.C. D.S.A. 1975.

He attended the Joint Services Course (Military Police) on Internal Security and Joint Operations at Fordbragg. U.S.A. 1975.

Malherbe attended the International Relations Course at the Institute of International Relations, Victoria Island, Lagos, in  1979.

He went to the Senior Command Course at Senior Command Course Police Staff College, Kuru, in 1984.

He proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru Jos, 1991.

In his illustrious career, he held various positions at the lower and middle segments spanning all the departments of the Nigeria Police Force, such as DPO, Divisional Traffic Officer, Detective Officer, Operations Officer, Trainer of Cadet Inspectors, Officer and ASPs Intelligence Unit, Provincial Pay Officer, and Administration.

He was Commissioner of Police, Training Department, Force Headquarters, C.P. Bauchi State, Police Command, C.P. Kano Police State Command.

He was AIG Training Command, AIG Zone 6 Command, AIG Zone 5 Command. AIG. ‘E’ Department

Other ad-hoc appointments include Regional Refugee Officer, Crisis period, 1966 1967, Kaduna.

Member, Nigerian Football Association (NFA) Lagos and Amateur Athletics Association of Nigeria, 1971-1975.

He was a Representative of the Nigeria Red Cross National Council for 5 years.

He was a Member of the Kano State Indigenization Board, 1976 Kano State.

He also served as a member of the NYSC State Committee, Kano State, and chairman of the Nigerian Football Association and A.A.A., Kano State 1973-1975.

Chairman NFA Plateau State 1976-1979, Head of Operations, and member Co-ordinator, Nigerian Pilgrims Board, Kano State, 1973-1976.

He was also the Chairman of the Price Control Board in Kano State from 1974 to 1975 and Served as a member of the Executive Council in Bauchi and Kano States between 1986 and 1990.

He was a Member of the Ports Decongestion Committee, Lagos, 1984-1985, and of the International Police Organizations.

He was the Vice-Chairman of the Police Panel on Publication of the History of the Nigeria Police Force and contributed a chapter on the “Nigeria Police Force in Transition.” He retired from the Police Force in early 1997.

His honours and awards include being the holder of the highest award, Nigeria Police Medal (NPM), National Services Awards First Republic Service Medal, etc., and Inspector General Award Commendation for Absolute Dedication to Service.

He also received the Benue State Honour of Distinguished Citizenry Avard and the Benue State Students Association award for Philanthropic activities.

He is the First Tiv Man to attain the full rank of Commissioner of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police, the highest rank in the Course of Service.

Upon retiring from active Police Service, AIG Malherbe contested the APP governorship ticket in 1998-99.

He failed in this quest and subsequently contested it. He was elected to the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003.

He left APP to join the then-ruling party, the PDP.

He did not contest any other political office again, as his intuition and belief were that he should give others room to taste such offices.

However, he was politically active until he reclined to the background based on his principles of equity, fairness, justice, etc.

He tactically withdrew from active politics years later to live a quiet family and business life.

Politically, Pa Malherbe was instrumental and supportive of the election of various individuals into offices, from the lowest to the highest.

He is survived by a wife, five children, and grandchildren.