The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the transfer of 25 senior officers to various commands and departments across the country.
Our correspondent gathered that the transfers followed the mass compulsory retirement of senior officers who had either completed 35 years of service or reached the 60-year age limit.
This was as the Police Service Commission on February 1 ordered the immediate retirement of all senior police officers who have reached the age of 60 or have served for more than 35 years in service.
The PUNCH reported on March 5 that the names of six senior officers were deleted from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, while two others were demoted due to their compulsory retirement.
However, a memo sighted on Tuesday by our correspondent showed that several Commissioners of Police have been redeployed to higher responsibilities, with some now assigned to roles previously occupied by Assistant Inspectors General of Police.
The affected officers have been reassigned to various zones, specialised units, and the Force Headquarters in Abuja, covering key departments such as Border Patrol, Training and Development, INTERPOL, ICT, Counter-Terrorism, and Special Protection.
Some officers have also been deployed to lead policing zones across different states, while others have been assigned to the Police Academy and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The affected officers and their new postings are as follows: AIG Margaret Ochalla was redeployed to Zone 13, Ukpo, while AIG Abayomi Oladipo was transferred to Zone 11, Osogbo and AIG Fred Ekokotu moved to AIG, Border Patrol Force, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Others are AIG Iwo Osigboka transferred to AIG, Department of Training and Development, FHQ, Abuja; AIG Garba Ahmed transferred to AIG, Zone 5, Benin;
AIG Salman Dogo transferred to AIG, Zone 9, Umuahia and AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu transferred to the Commandant Police Academy, Kano.
Commissioners of Police assigned to positions for Assistant Inspectors General of Police are: Patrick Atayero assigned to AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa; Tolani Alausa assigned to AIG, Zone 17, Akure; Mobolaji Olaiya assigned to AIG, INTERPOL, FHQ, Abuja; Musibau Ajani deployed to AIG, Directorate of ICT, Force Headquarters, Abuja; Gyongon Grimah deployed to AIG, Office of the National Security Adviser and Olatunji Disu Special Protection Unit , FHQ, Abuja, among others.
“The Inspector General of Police has ordered the transfer of the following Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the commands or formations indicated against their names.
“Officers on higher duty posts should not wear the ranks.
“The posting takes immediate effect,” the memo partly read.
The Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
Courts rules on forced retirement
Meanwhile, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Abuja has fixed March 17 to deliver a ruling in the suit filed by Course 18, 19, and 20 (Force Entrants) of the Police Academy.
The plaintiffs are challenging their forceful retirement from the Nigeria Police Force.
The plaintiffs, who sued the Police Service Commission, the Inspector General of Police, and the Force Secretary as the 1st to 3rd defendants, filed the suit both individually and on behalf of all members of Courses 18, 19, and 20 of the Police Academy.
The officers involved include ACP Chinedu Emengaha, ACP Victor Chilaka, ACP Egwu Otu, CSP Sylvester Ebosele, CSP Sunday Okuguni, CSP Asuquo Inyang, CSP Kalu Chikozie, and CSP Adetu Omoteso.
In their motion on notice, marked NICN/ABJ/28/2025, the plaintiffs sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants from retiring or suspending any officers from these courses who are yet to serve 35 years of pensionable service or reach the mandatory retirement age of 60 years, pending the hearing and determination of their substantive suit.
They also requested an order restraining the defendants from suspending the salaries or altering the postings of any officers from Courses 18, 19, and 20 of the Police Academy.
The claimants are also seeking declarations and orders that the date of the first appointment into service of the claimants, as contained in their respective appointment letters, is not subject to review by the defendants.
The plaintiffs further seek a declaration that the defendants cannot overturn the valid and subsisting judgments of the National Industrial Court delivered by Justice O. Oyewunmi, already implemented since July 29, 2021.
They are also praying for an order setting aside the 1st defendant’s directive to the 2nd and 3rd defendants, as contained in the press release of January 31, 2025, concerning Courses 18, 19, and 20 (Force Entrants).
At the last sitting, the court adjourned the ruling to March 11.
However, when the matter was called, the presiding judge, Justice R. B. Haastrup, disclosed that the ruling was not ready and adjourned the case to March 17.
The judge also ordered that hearing notices be served on the 2nd and 3rd defendants.
Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), representing the claimants, informed the court that the 2nd and 3rd defendants had allegedly reduced the ranks of some of the claimants and retired them from service while the case was still pending in court.
Although the 2nd and 3rd defendants were absent from the court and unrepresented, the judge noted that during the last proceedings, the defendants had informed the court that they would not be available for the ruling due to another matter outside the court’s jurisdiction, which the court permitted.