NEWS FLASH:PSC compulsorily retires four DIGs for violating police tradition

Police Service Commission has directed four senior Deputy Inspectors-General of Police Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Jitiboh, Hafiz Inuwa, and Adeleke Bode to immediately begin their mandatory retirement as a result of their failure to do so after their colleague Olukayode Egbetokun was named the acting Inspector-General of Police.

In contrast, the PSC authorized the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Ibrahim Ka’oje, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo to the rank of DIGs, pending approval by the commission’s board. These individuals will take the place of the retired DIGs.

The PSC gave the order in the exercise of its statutory powers pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, paragraphs A and B of the 1999 Constitution, strengthened by Section 6 of the PSC (Establisment) Act 2001, paragraphs a, c, d, e, and f. The commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, revealed this to journalists in Abuja on Monday.

In accordance with the revered tradition of discipline and the regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force, he added, the PSC had expected those DIGs who were seniors in rank prior to Egbetokun’s appointment as IG to voluntarily retire. He went on to explain that this is why the order became necessary.

Ani stated, “The Commission had anticipated that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force in accordance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force. Mr. President appointed acting Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on June 19, 2023.

The Commission decided to compulsorily retire them after waiting a sufficient amount of time without receiving any such application from any of them in order to uphold the Force’s core value of discipline and to deter status reversals, which are inherently hostile to the Inspector General’s exercise of authority.

According to Ani, the newly appointed DIGs were chosen from the same respective geopolitical regions as the retired ones and are free of any outstanding disciplinary matters as well as from any serious medical conditions and health impairments.