PSC retires four DIGs, announces replacements

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has retired four Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), Dan-Mallam Mohammed; Moses Ambakina Jitiboh; Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

The compulsory retirement may not be unconnected with the fact that the affected DIGs were senior to the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

Although three of the retired DIGs were course mates of Egbetokun, they were, however, promoted before him.

The commission had kept mute and awaited retirement applications from the officers. But when the requests were not forthcoming, it, therefore, wielded the big stick by asking them to go.

Spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement, also confirmed the elevation of four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to fill the vacuum. They are: DIGs Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari-Pedro; Ayuba Ekpeji and Usman Nagogo.

The statement reads in part: “The Police Service Commission, in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commission’s (Establishment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

“The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.”

“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 senior 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.”

It added: “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.

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