By DAYO ADESULU
President has halted a planned mass retirement of about 30 senior police officers following the appointment of as Acting Inspector-General of Police.
The decision comes amid mounting tension inside the Nigeria Police Force, where leadership changes often trigger sweeping exits of top-ranking officers. However, this time, the Presidency intervened before the shake-up could take effect.
Presidency Intervenes as Leadership Transition Sparks Anxiety
The controversy began shortly after the removal of former IGP , who has now handed over to Disu.
Traditionally, when a new IGP assumes office—especially if he is junior to some Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) or Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs)—senior officers are asked to retire to prevent what insiders describe as “status reversal.” Consequently, an internal list reportedly containing about 30 names had already circulated within the Force.
At least eight DIGs, including Yahaya Abubakar (Finance), Adebola Hamzat (Logistics), Adebowale Williams (ICT), and Frank Mba (Training), were said to be affected.
Yet, Tinubu stops mass retirement of DIGs and AIGs, citing the need for stability and institutional experience at a critical moment for national security.
A Presidency source confirmed that the Acting IGP would require the expertise of seasoned officers to maintain operational continuity. Therefore, the Police Service Commission (PSC) was instructed to suspend the retirement process.
Disu’s Appointment and Retirement Timeline
Disu’s elevation has generated fresh debate because of his proximity to the statutory retirement age.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General on March 6, 2025. Under existing regulations, he is due for retirement on April 13, 2026, when he turns 60.
Although the amended Police Act permits an Inspector-General to serve a four-year tenure regardless of age, sources suggest that Disu may not benefit from an extended term beyond April. In contrast to previous arrangements, there appears to be pressure to ensure he exits the Force upon reaching retirement age.
For now, however, Tinubu stops mass retirement of DIGs and AIGs, effectively restoring hope among senior officers whose careers appeared abruptly cut short.
Court Ruling That Changed the Narrative
This latest development unfolds against the backdrop of a landmark court ruling that declared compulsory retirement of senior officers unconstitutional under certain conditions.
The case centered on the late DIG Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, who was compulsorily retired in 2023 after Egbetokun’s appointment. At 54, Jitoboh had neither reached the age of 60 nor completed 35 years of service.
Challenging the decision, he approached the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/274/2023. In January 2025, Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae ruled that his retirement was void and illegal.
The court stated that the PSC lacked the authority to truncate the career of an officer who had not met statutory retirement conditions. It further described the “status reversal” policy as a mere administrative tradition without legal backing.
Significantly, neither the PSC nor the Nigeria Police Force appealed the ruling, reinforcing the judgment’s authority.
However, in a tragic twist, Jitoboh died on December 28, 2024—just weeks before the verdict. Despite his passing, the court ordered that he be recognized as a serving DIG until 2029, awarded outstanding salaries, ₦50 million in damages, and ₦750,000 in legal costs.
Legal scholar and human rights advocate later highlighted the ruling, describing it as a significant correction of institutional overreach.
What This Means for Police Leadership Stability
The fact that Tinubu stops mass retirement of DIGs and AIGs signals a potential shift in how leadership transitions may be handled moving forward.
For years, compulsory retirements have generated quiet resentment within the Force. Many officers viewed the practice as punitive rather than procedural. Now, with a binding court precedent and presidential intervention, the balance appears to tilt toward protecting statutory rights.
Moreover, retaining experienced officers could strengthen operational command at a time when Nigeria grapples with complex security challenges nationwide.
Still, uncertainty remains. If Disu exits in April as scheduled, another leadership transition could reopen the same debate. Observers argue that sustainable reform requires clear policy alignment with judicial pronouncements to prevent recurring crises.
A Turning Point or Temporary Pause?
While Tinubu stops mass retirement of DIGs and AIGs for now, questions linger about long-term institutional reforms within the Police Force.
Will the PSC formally abandon the “status reversal” doctrine?
Will future IGP appointments avoid similar turbulence?
And can leadership changes occur without destabilizing command structures?
As events unfold, one thing is clear: this intervention has reshaped the immediate power dynamics within the Nigeria Police Force.
For senior officers who feared abrupt retirement, relief has replaced anxiety—at least temporarily.
For the institution itself, the episode underscores the urgent need for transparent, law-driven personnel management.
And for Nigerians watching closely, the stability of police leadership remains central to national security and governance.
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