By John Audu, Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the immediate posting and redeployment of Assistant Inspector General of Police, Gumel H. Mohammed, to Zone 7, which encompasses the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State. Mohammed replaces AIG Benneth Igweh, who had only recently assumed his position on September 12, 2024.
This decision is part of a broader move to replace senior police officers implicated in serious misconduct, including forgery, age falsification, and violations of service regulations. A significant number of officers have been relieved of their duties, as highlighted by a report from SaharaReporters, which identified approximately 467 police officers involved in these infractions, including prominent figures like Simon Lough, SAN, and Benneth Igweh.
A police memo obtained by SaharaReporters details the directive: “INFO: INGENPOLSEC ABUJA 254 TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.5/ X POSTING SENIOR OFFICER X INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF AIGPOL GUMEL H. MOHAMMED X TO AIG ZONE ’7 ABUJA X POSTING IS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT-PLEASE XXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.”
In addition to the changes in Zone 7, numerous other senior officers have also been reassigned as part of the ongoing restructuring. While many officers implicated in the scandal have been formally retired, reports indicate that some have quietly stepped down to avoid disciplinary action.
On February 7, 2025, IGP Egbetokun ordered that senior officers who refused to retire must appear before a disciplinary committee. A police signal from that date stated: “INGENPOL directs you warn and release AP. No. 50645 Idowu Owohunwa, AΡ/ΝΟ. 50703, AIG Benneth Igweh, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 41704, CP Aina Emmanuel, AP/NO.41741, CP Salama Wakili Abdul, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 46522, Adepoju Olugbenga Adewole, AP/NO. 57917 DCP Simon Lough, SAN, serving yours to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) sitting from 10/02/2025 TO 13/05/2025. Time 1000HRS; venue IGP’S Conference Hall, 7th floor, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”
Tensions have reportedly escalated within the Nigeria Police Force, as over 200 senior officers are resisting retirement. Some of these officers have served for as long as 44 years. Sources indicate that this unrest has created friction between IGP Egbetokun and Deputy Inspector General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galandanchi, who is seeking a two-year extension of his service, citing precedents set by Egbetokun himself.
In a separate development, a police signal dated February 9, 2025, revealed further personnel reshuffling, with multiple officers being reassigned to various commands across the country.
Earlier reports confirmed that the police authorities have fully authorized the retirement of all officers involved in the forgery and age falsification scandal, following an initial pause on the decision. A police wireless message dated February 10, 2025, reiterated this directive, emphasizing the need for compliance with the Police Service Commission’s decisions.
As the Nigeria Police Force continues to navigate this scandal, the focus remains on restoring integrity and accountability within its ranks.
