Mixed reactions have continued to trail President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Olatunji Disu, as Acting Inspector General of Police, after the appointment may force 31 senior police officers to embark on compulsory retirement with the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, who resigned from office.
While the 31 senior policemen, sources said, were expressing their displeasure over the President’s decision, Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and others were rejoicing that the appointment of Disu as the 23rd IGP would fast-track their promotion to commensurate with the number of years in service.
A breakdown of the senior police officers, who may be compelled to embark on retirement, considering their rank in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), to the Acting IGP, Disu, sources at the Force headquarters said, was eight Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGs) and 23 AIGs across the formations.
After the sources’ disclosure on Tuesday, a check by The Guild on the Nigerian Police website further revealed some of the DIGs who may be forced to tender their resignations, including DIG for the Department of Training and Development, DIG Frank Mba.
Others who may have to leave include Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Finance and Administration, DIG Yahaya Abubakar; Head of Logistics and Supply, DIG Adebola Hamzat; and DIG Adebowale Williams, who supervises Information and Communication Technology at the Force Headquarters.
Also listed on the Police website were DIG Sadiq Abubakar, who oversees the Force Criminal Investigations Department; Heads the Force Intelligence Department, DIG Ben Okolo; and DIG for Research and Planning, DIG Basil Idegwu.
While the Police are yet to indicate the number of AIGs who would be redeployed or leave with Egbetokun, following the shakeup inside the Force headquarters, as Disu prepares to take over the country’s police leadership.
While some of the DIGs and AIGs were Disu’s contemporaries, sources noted the preferential treatment received by the senior police officers, which Disu was not privileged to, formed reasons his coursemates were promoted ahead of him.
Some of those whose fates are in the balance after their promotions were DIG Fayoade Adegoke, DIG Funsho Adegboye, and DIG Mohammed Dankwara.
He trained at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State. Before his current posting, he was the commissioner of police, Rivers State Police Command.
Before the appointment, AIG Disu was recently deployed to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) annex in Lagos to assist the Force tackle crimes.
He was the former commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), replacing Abba Kyari, following his suspension.
After his promotion to Commissioner, Disu served in Abuja and Rivers, where he led the Commands towards reducing crimes and apprehending criminals terrorizing the states.
He was also a former commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State.
