IG Orders Deployment of 35 CPs to State Commands, Formations

•Tasks newly posted officers to key into policing vision, prioritise communal, citizen safety

•Uncertainty in Police over plan to retire DIGs, AIGs

Following the approval of his recommendation by the Police Service Commission (PSC), the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered the deployment of 35 Commissioners of Police to various state commands and formations across the country.

A statement by Force Headquarters in Abuja yesterday said the IG assured that the postings were in line with the commitment of the police leadership to ensure effective policing, security, and the maintenance of law and order in Nigeria.

Among the newly posted Commissioners of Police are CP Adelesi E. Oluwarotimi to Kwara State Command, CP Adebola Ayinde Hamzat to Oyo State Command, CP Augustina N. Ogbodo to Ebonyi State Command; CP Samuel Titus Musa to Kebbi State Command, CP Aderemi Olufemi Adeoye to Anambra State Command; CP Auwal Musa to Bauchi State Command and CP Alamatu Abiodun Mustapha to Ogun State Command.

Others include CP Margaret Ochalla to Police Special Fraud Unit Annex Lagos, CP Banji Ogunrinde to head the Explosive Ordnance Unit, CP Rhoda A. Olofu to Ports Authority Police Western, Lagos, CP Kareem Musa to Interpol Annex Lagos, CP Audu Dabigi to Border Patrol Force; CP Abibo D. Reuben, to Police Mobile Force, CP Adekunle Ismaila Olusokan to Welfare FHQ Abuja, CP Omolara Ibidun Oloruntola to Special Fraud Unit FCID Abuja and CP Abaniwonda S. Olufemi to Deputy Force Secretary amongst others.

Furthermore, the IGP “charges the appointed Commissioners of Police to key into his policies, vision, and mission for the Nigerian Police Force while mandating them to prioritise the safety and well-being of the citizens they serve, ensuring adherence to the principles of fairness, professionalism, and respect for human rights”.

While urging them to serve as exemplary leaders, fostering harmonious relationships with other security agencies, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders, the Inspector-General of Police tasks them to promote intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention strategies, and community engagement initiatives that will enhance public trust and confidence in the Nigerian Police Force.

Meanwhile, there is uncertainty at the Police Force Headquarters following alleged plans by Egbetokun, to compulsorily retire four Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and three Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) from service.

 The three DIGs are DanMallam Mohammed, Hafiz Inuwa, and Adeyinka Adeleke, while Moses Jitubor was his junior.

 THISDAY gathered that  apart from the four DIGs, the IG was said to have been persuaded to include all his course mates, who were Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIG), if the DIGs who were his course mates were to be compulsorily retired.

 It was gathered that three of the DIGs were Egbetokun’s course mates of Course 2 (1990), while the remaining DIG was his junior of Course 4 (1994).

 The AIGs, who are Egbetokun’s course mates  include Ali Mohammed Ari, AIG Zone 2 Lagos, former Lagos State  Commissioner of Police, Sylvester Alabi, AIG Zone 12 Bauchi and Jonathan Towhuru, AIG Zone 6 Calabar.

 Sources told THISDAY that there was pressure on Egbetokun, to seek approval from the presidency and the Police Service Commission (PSC) to compulsorily retire the eight DIGs and AIGs.

 There were, however, strong indications that some influential lobby groups had reached out to President Bola Tinubu, to instruct the IG not to retire any police officer, who was not his senior.

 Presidency sources said those who approached Tinubu advised him to avoid undue litigations, arising from hasty actions.

 In the case of the compulsory retirement of police officers, the president was said to have been reminded of a current Industrial Court judgement awarding retired AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu N40 million against the PSC over his compulsory sack.

 There were also indications that all the DIGs had pledged loyalty to the new IG following which the IG might have decided to retain them.

 But THISDAY further gathered that the Police Service Commission was yet to receive any such communication from the IG on the matter.

 “Even if the IG writes the presidency, he is also expected write the PSC. The PSC will approve such retirement. There is no such letter yet from the IG to the commission,” a source said.