Changes in Nigerian Police: Frank Mba, other DIGs vacate office, PSC set to announce replacements

Frank Mba and seven other Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have vacated their offices following the substantive confirmation of Tunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police (IGP), PREMIUM TIMES can report.

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Although there has been no official announcement regarding their retirement, police sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the officers had already vacated their offices at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, indicating they had been asked to step aside.

Steps commenced on Friday to promote seven Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs) to the rank of DIG to replace the outgoing ones.

Sources at the police headquarters told this newspaper that the Police Service Commission (PSC) invited seven AIGs for promotion interviews scheduled for 6 March at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. The interviews were heldon Friday morning.

The officers invited are Zacharia Achinyan, Zango Baba, Isyaku Mohammed, Margaret Ochalla, Mohammed Suleiman, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie and Umar Nadada.

Another source with direct knowledge of the process said eight AIGs were initially expected to be considered for promotion. However, one of them, Adegoke Fayoade, who had been recommended for elevation to DIG, had not yet been decorated with the new rank before the latest reorganisation in the police.

Mr Fayoade will not undergo any new interview but will only be decorated with his new rank of DIG, our sources said.

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The Nigeria Police Force is structured into eight key departments, each headed by a DIG and operating under the command of the IGP.

Data available on the police website showed that these departments are overseen by eight DIGs. The Department of Operations was headed by Bzigu Kwazhi, while Sadiq Abubakar led the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).

The Force Intelligence Department was under the supervision of Mohammed Gumel, and the Department of Logistics and Supply was headed by Adebola Hamzat.

Others were Mr Mba, who led the Department of Training and Development; Adebowale Williams (Information and Communication Technology); Basil Idegwu (Research and Planning) and Dankwara Mohammed (Finance and Administration).

All the incumbent DIGs will retire and be replaced with the new ones to be announced soon following the recent leadership change in the police hierarchy.

Why the DIGs stepped aside

Speculation about the possible retirement of the DIGs began shortly after Mr Disu’s appointment and confirmation as IGP.

Before his appointment, Mr Disu held the rank of AIG and was junior in rank to the serving DIGs, including Mr Mba. PREMIUM TIMES understands that no Nigerian law compels senior officers to retire simply because a junior officer has been appointed as IGP.

A few years ago, a DIG who was forcefully retired when his junior was promoted to IGP also challenged his retirement in court and won. However, the tradition has been that DIGs retire when their junior is promoted IGP ahead of them, a tradition that is now set to continue with Mr Disu’s appointment.

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Under the Police Act 2020, police officers are required to retire upon reaching the age of 60 or after completing 35 years in service, whichever comes first.

However, the law was amended in 2024 to allow an IGP to complete a single four-year term regardless of age or years of service. An IGP can only be removed from office by the president or if they resign.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Disu as IGP at the age of 59, just 48 days before his scheduled retirement.

The PSC is expected to announce the newly promoted DIGs later today or by Monday. Efforts to get an official reaction from the agency on Friday morning were unsuccessful.