The appointment of Olatunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu has triggered what may be the most extensive leadership shake-up in recent Nigeria Police Force history, with up to 31 senior officers—including some Assistant Inspectors-General senior to Disu himself—potentially facing compulsory retirement.
Deputy Inspector-General Frank Mba, who currently serves as DIG in charge of the Department of Training and Development at Force Headquarters in Abuja, is reportedly among at least four senior DIGs likely to exit the force as part of the customary reshuffle that accompanies a new IGP.
A breakdown of the senior police officers who may be compelled to embark on retirement shows eight Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGs) and 23 AIGs across the formations, according to sources at Force headquarters. Significantly, some of these AIGs are senior in service to the newly appointed IGP, raising questions about the selection criteria.
Sources familiar with developments in the force noted that several of the officers, including Disu and Mba, were coursemates, with one stating: “Disu, Fayoade, Funsho and Dankwara are Frank Mba’s coursemates.”
However, the source explained: “Mba joined the Nigeria Police as a Cadet Inspector, while Disu and others entered as Assistant Superintendents of Police in 1992. Usually, those who entered as ASP are promoted faster than those who came in as Cadet Inspectors.”
Another source added: “If not for the rapid promotion of Mba due to the quota system, he should not be leaving office now.”
It is standard practice in the Nigeria Police Force for incoming IGPs to restructure top leadership, particularly among DIGs senior in rank or those who joined the force before the new appointee. However, the forced retirement of AIGs who are senior to the new IGP represents an unusual aspect of this particular transition.
Other senior DIGs who may be affected include Yahaya S. Abubakar (Finance and Administration), Adebola Hamzat (Logistics and Supply), Adebowale Williams (Information and Communication Technology), Sadiq Idris Abubakar (Force Criminal Investigations Department), Ben Nebolisa Okolo (Force Intelligence Department), and Basil O. Idegwu (Research and Planning).
It was also gathered that even the three newly-promoted DIGs may retire between June and July due to age considerations. In the police, like most civil service officers, retirement comes either on attaining 60 years in age or having served for 35 years.
Disu’s appointment followed what official statements described as the resignation of IGP Kayode Egbetokun due to “pressing family considerations,” though multiple sources indicate the President requested his departure. In a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed appreciation for Egbetokun’s service and commended his “decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.”
President Tinubu expressed confidence that AIG Disu’s experience, operational expertise, and proven leadership capacity would provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force at this critical time.
In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will shortly convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider AIG Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
While the 31 senior policemen were reportedly expressing their displeasure over the President’s decision, Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and others were rejoicing that the appointment of Disu as the 23rd IGP would fast-track their promotion to commensurate with the number of years in service.
The development has reignited conversations within security circles about succession planning, promotion protocols, and the criteria used in selecting Nigeria’s top police officer when multiple senior officers—including some of higher rank than the appointee—are available.