Police Commission Retires Four DIGs, Names New Appointees

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has made a decision that four Deputy Inspectors-General of Police will be required to retire immediately. The individuals affected by this decision are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa, and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

The reason for this action is that these DIGs were originally in higher ranks than Kayode Egbetokun, who is currently serving as the acting IGP. However, they did not retire when he was appointed to his new position.

The Commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, communicated this decision to journalists in Abuja on Monday. Ani explained that the Commission issued this order based on its authorized powers, following the appointment of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, the power is pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A & B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establishment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, & f.

He explained that the order became imperative because the PSC had expected those DIGs who were seniors in rank prior to the appointment of Egbetokun as IGP to voluntarily retire.

The PSC spokesman said such expected application was in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force.

Ani said: “In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGs who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force.

“The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.”

The PSC approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to the rank of DIGs, which would be subjected to ratification by the board of the commission to replace the retired DIGs.

The newly appointed DIGs, according to Ani, who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geopolitical regions of the retired ones.

They are Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji and Usman Nagogo.