Nigerian Police Shakeup: Frank Mba Among DIGs to Exit as PSC Prepares to Announce Successors

Frank Mba and seven other Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) have left their positions following the recent confirmation of Tunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police (IGP), as reported by PREMIUM TIMES.

While there has been no formal declaration regarding their retirement, sources within the police revealed to PREMIUM TIMES that the officers have already vacated their roles at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, suggesting they were asked to resign.

Efforts began on Friday to promote seven Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs) to fill the vacancies left by the departing DIGs.

According to insiders at the police headquarters, the Police Service Commission (PSC) summoned seven AIGs for promotion interviews on March 6, which took place on Friday morning.

The officers selected for these interviews include Zacharia Achinyan, Zango Baba, Isyaku Mohammed, Margaret Ochalla, Mohammed Suleiman, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, and Umar Nadada.

Initially, eight AIGs were expected to be considered for elevation. However, Adegoke Fayoade, who was recommended for promotion to DIG, had not yet received the new rank before the recent changes in the police structure.

Sources indicate that Fayoade will not be subjected to any new interview but will be officially decorated with the rank of DIG.

The structure of the Nigeria Police Force encompasses eight main departments, each under the leadership of a DIG and functioning under the IGP’s command. Data from the police website reveals that these departments have been managed by the following DIGs: Bzigu Kwazhi oversaw the Department of Operations, while Sadiq Abubakar led the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID). Mohamed Gumel was in charge of the Force Intelligence Department, and Adebola Hamzat managed the Department of Logistics and Supply.

Additionally, Mr. Mba headed the Department of Training and Development; Adebowale Williams was responsible for Information and Communication Technology; Basil Idegwu oversaw Research and Planning; and Dankwara Mohammed managed Finance and Administration.

With the recent changes in police leadership, all serving DIGs are set to retire and will soon be succeeded by new appointees.

Reasons Behind the Departure of the DIGs

Speculation about the retirement of these DIGs surfaced shortly after Disu’s appointment as IGP.

Prior to his new role, Disu was an AIG, ranking below the current DIGs, including Mba. It is understood that there is no legal obligation for senior officials to retire simply because a junior officer has assumed the role of IGP.

In a precedent from a few years back, a DIG was forcibly retired when a junior was promoted to IGP but successfully contested that decision in court. Nonetheless, it has been customary for DIGs to retire when a junior officer assumes the IGP position ahead of them, a tradition that continues with Disu’s appointment.

Under the Police Act of 2020, officers are required to retire upon reaching 60 years old or after 35 years in service, depending on which condition is met first. The law was revised in 2024, allowing an IGP to serve a complete four- year term irrespective of age or years served. An IGP’s removal can only occur through presidential action or resignation.

As previously reported, President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as IGP at the age of 59, just 48 days shy of his retirement date.

The PSC is expected to announce the newly promoted DIGs later today or by Monday. Attempts to secure an official comment from the commission early Friday were unsuccessful.