Failed Extension Leaves Seven DIGs Out In The Cold As New Appointments Loom

DIG Towuru of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) honorably resigned and did not return after attending a senior police officers’ retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Likewise, Deputy Inspectors General (DIG) Banji Lawal Badru and Bala Ciroma also stepped down. Their replacements will be announced tomorrow by the Police Service Commission.

Earlier, IGP Egbetokun had instructed senior officers who refused to retire to appear before a disciplinary committee.

Sources revealed that tensions have been escalating within the Nigeria Police Force as some senior officers resisted retirement after being implicated in falsifying their birth records. Several officers had served up to 44 years, causing conflicts between IGP Egbetokun and some of the affected DIGs, including Galandachi, who had requested a two-year extension, citing the exemption granted to IGP Egbetokun himself last year.

Police communications obtained by SaharaReporters in February confirmed that Egbetokun had ordered the replacement of some of the implicated officers. The retirement of all affected personnel has since been fully approved by police authorities.

Additionally, the IGP instructed the redeployment of officers to replace those found guilty of forgery, age falsification, and violations of service regulations.

A previously released list included around 467 officers involved in age falsification, including Simon Lough, SAN, Benneth Igweh, and others.

This controversy follows the Police Service Commission’s directive for mass retirements, which impacted several Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General (AIGs), and other senior officers.