Story by Iyiola Ayomide
467 Senior Officers Implicated in Nigeria Police Age Falsification Scandal
A recent reform exercise within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has exposed 467 senior officers who have continued to serve despite reaching the mandatory retirement threshold. Many of these officers, some of whom have been in service for over 40 years, were identified during an ongoing investigation into age and entry record falsifications.
To address the vacancies created by the retirement of these officers, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has taken decisive steps. Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) have been instructed to take over as acting Area Commanders across the country, while Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) will assume acting positions as Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to fill the gaps.
Force Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliant Officers
While some officers have quietly stepped aside, others refused to comply, leading to their summons before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) for further action. This committee is tasked with reviewing the conduct of officers who were implicated and determining appropriate penalties where necessary.
Implementation of Age and Entry Regularization
The reform exercise is part of the broader Police Service Commission’s (PSC) directive to regularize age and entry records across the force. This effort aims to restore accountability and ensure adherence to service regulations.
An internal memo, reportedly issued to all police commands and departments, emphasized strict adherence to the new directives, with the IGP mandating full compliance across all levels of the force.
New Postings and Redeployments
Following the retirement of officers implicated in the scandal, the NPF has announced several key redeployments:
Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs)
- Ojugbele E. Adesola – DC DOPS, Zone 2, Lagos
- Preye Raymond Egbe – DC DFA, Akwa Ibom
- Bello Adamu – DC DFA, Zone 2, Lagos
- Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ugwu – DC CID, Ebonyi Command
- Iya Umar Mohammed – DC CID, Enugu Command
- Abubakar Argungu Ibrahim – DC CID, Cross River Command
- Okey C. Nwabufor – DC CID, Western Port, Lagos
- Tanimu Prince Nyatse – DC DOPS, Ekiti State
- AbdulKadir El-Jamal – Head, Legal Chamber Section, Abuja
- Daniel Habila – DC Admin, Legal Section, FCID Abuja
Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) Acting as DCPs
- Emmanuel Deebom – DC CPTU Staffpol, Jos
- Abayomi Agbana – DC DOPS, Interpol Annex, Lagos
- Olufemi E. Takeet – DC Homicide, FCID Enugu
- Joseph A. Habakkuk – DC DFA, Zone 11, Osogbo
- Faruku Umaru – DC DOPS, Enugu
- Benard Adedayo Ojewale – DC Field Studies, PSC Jos
- Mohammed Sabo Haladu – DC DOPS, Zone 11, Osogbo
- Mamman Bello Tambuwal – DC GI, FCID Annex, Enugu
- Kabiru Salisu – DC Field Studies, POLAC
- Haruna Adamu – DC DFA, Staffpol, Jos
- Dashuwer Tepnyakas – DC DFA, Annex, Lagos
- Musa Abdullahi – DC Anti-Money Laundering, FCID Abuja
- Abubakar Bello Mustapha – DC DFA, Zone 9, Umuahia
- Uchenna B. Ani – DC ZCID, Zone 12, Bauchi
- Baba Gana Saje – DC Courses, Staffpol, Jos
Additionally, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Gumel H. Mohammed has been deployed to head Zone 7, Abuja.
The Need for Reforms
This exercise underscores the NPF’s commitment to addressing irregularities within its ranks and restoring public trust in the system. It also highlights the importance of maintaining discipline and accountability in one of the country’s most critical institutions.
The ongoing reforms aim to ensure that police officers adhere to the set standards for retirement and service tenure, thereby promoting fairness and professionalism in the force. Further updates will follow as the situation develops.