VAM News Update

THE Police Service Commission (PSC) had announced the compulsory retirement of four Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) who were senior to the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun before his elevation by President Bola Tinubu.

The affected officers by the compulsory retirement include DIGs Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

A statement issued on Monday, August 28, by the spokesman for the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said the senior officers were expected to put in their resignation from service following the appointment of their junior as IGP in line with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the police.

Ani said the PSC exercised its statutory powers pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, paragraphs A and B of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 6 of the PSC Establishment Act, 2001, in arriving at the decision.

He 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.

“Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.

“The commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement.

“Similarly, the commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the commission to replace the retired DIGs.

“The newly appointed DIGs who are without pending disciplinary matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones.

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

“While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate.”