Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the transfer of 25 senior officers to various commands and departments across the country in a major reshuffle within the Nigeria Police Force.
The move follows the mass compulsory retirement of senior officers who had either completed 35 years of service or reached the 60-year age limit, in line with the Police Service Commission’s directive issued on February 1.
A memo obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday revealed that several Commissioners of Police have been reassigned to positions traditionally held by Assistant Inspectors General of Police, while others have been deployed to key zones, specialized units, and the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The new assignments cover departments such as Border Patrol, Training and Development, INTERPOL, ICT, Counter-Terrorism, and Special Protection.
Among those transferred, AIG Margaret Ochalla has been posted to Zone 13, Ukpo; AIG Abayomi Oladipo to Zone 11, Osogbo; and AIG Fred Ekokotu to the Border Patrol Force at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. Others include AIG Iwo Osigboka (Training and Development, FHQ, Abuja), AIG Garba Ahmed (Zone 5, Benin), AIG Salman Dogo (Zone 9, Umuahia), and AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu (Commandant, Police Academy, Kano).
Additionally, some Commissioners of Police have been elevated to roles designated for AIGs. Patrick Atayero has been assigned to Zone 16, Yenagoa; Tolani Alausa to Zone 17, Akure; Mobolaji Olaiya to INTERPOL, FHQ, Abuja; Musibau Ajani to the Directorate of ICT, Force Headquarters; Gyongon Grimah to the Office of the National Security Adviser; and Olatunji Disu to the Special Protection Unit, FHQ, Abuja.
“The Inspector General of Police has ordered the transfer of the following Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the commands or formations indicated against their names.
“Officers on higher duty posts should not wear the ranks.
“The posting takes immediate effect,” the memo partly read.
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court in Abuja has scheduled March 17 to rule on a lawsuit filed by officers from Courses 18, 19, and 20 of the Police Academy, challenging their forced retirement.
The plaintiffs, including ACP Chinedu Emengaha, ACP Victor Chilaka, ACP Egwu Otu, and CSP Sylvester Ebosele, are contesting the Police Service Commission’s directive, arguing that they have not yet completed 35 years of service or reached the mandatory retirement age of 60.
They are seeking an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Force Secretary from enforcing their retirement, altering their postings, or suspending their salaries while the case is pending.
The ruling, initially set for March 11, was postponed to March 17 due to delays in preparation. The presiding judge, Justice R. B. Haastrup, also ordered that hearing notices be served on the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Secretary.
Claimants’ counsel, Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), informed the court that some of the plaintiffs had already been demoted or retired despite the case still being in court. The defendants were absent from the proceedings, with the judge noting that they had previously informed the court of their unavailability due to another legal matter outside its jurisdiction.
