Unfair Appointments? Police Leadership Faces Heat Over Lopsided CP Deployments

While the Police Act 2020 grants both the PSC and IGP the authority to assign CPs to state commands, it also outlines specific guidelines to ensure equitable deployment across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Section 12(2) of the Act states that the PSC is responsible for assigning CPs to state commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Moreover, Section 12(4) requires that the deployment of CPs reflect the principle of Federal Character as outlined in the Constitution.

The Federal Character principle mandates that each state and the FCT should have representation in the leadership of state commands. According to this guideline, the South West and South South zones should each have six CPs, the South East five, and the North—with 19 states—should have 19 CPs.

However, an investigation by Daily Sun has revealed a concerning imbalance in the current deployment, allegedly favoring the North and South West while disadvantaging the South East and South South zones.

Currently, 10 CPs from the South West are in charge of state commands, including in Rivers, Delta, Lagos, FCT, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, and Plateau. In contrast, only two CPs from the South South and one from the South East are heading state commands. The North, on the other hand, reportedly has 23 CPs in command.

This disparity has reportedly sparked discontent within the police force.

A retired officer, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “When any state lacks a CP from its own region, it violates the Police Act.”

Another retired Assistant Inspector General of Police added: “No CP from the South East has ever served in Lagos or Kano, yet CPs from the North and South West have been deployed to the South East.”

He recalled an instance where former IGP Mike Okiro had tried to post Donald Iroham, a CP from Imo State, to Lagos, but the posting was reversed while en route, directing him to Kwara instead.

In response to the allegations, the PSC’s Public Relations Officer, Ikechukwu Ani, dismissed the claims, stating that CP postings are dynamic and should not be viewed through a regional lens. “There are times when postings may favor a particular region,” Ani explained.

He also highlighted that the South East currently has two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, more than any other region. He reassured that CP postings are based on the IGP’s evaluation of each officer’s capacity and suitability for the role.

Ani emphasized that upcoming changes in CP postings are expected as some officers approach retirement, and he suggested that this would provide opportunities for better regional representation.

“There is no marginalization… The IGP knows the capabilities of each CP and assigns them accordingly,” Ani concluded.