PSC compulsorily retires four DIGs for failing to uphold police tradition

The Police Service Commission has approved a compulsory retirement of four senior Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Jitiboh, Hafiz Inuwa and Adeleke Bode, with immediate effect for failing to retire following the appointment of their colleague, Olukayode Egbetokun, as the acting Inspector-General of Police, thereby approved 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 ratification by the board of the commission to replace the retired DIGs.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, the spokesperson for the commission, while disclosing this to journalists in Abuja on Monday, said that the PSC gave the order in the exercise of its statutory powers under the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the PSC (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, & f, adding that the order became imperative because the PSC had expected those DIGs who were seniors in rank before Egbetokun was appointed IG, to retire voluntarily, adding that such desired application aligned with the revered tradition of discipline and control culture of the Nigeria Police Force.

Ani said, “In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on June 19, 2023, by Mr. President, the Commission had expected by the revered tradition of discipline and control culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank before 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, decided to compulsorily retire them 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.”

The spokesperson added that the newly appointed DIGs, who are without pending disciplinary matters and without any severe medical conditions and health impairments, were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones.