In a major crackdown on corruption within the Nigeria Police Force, 467 officers have been ordered to retire after being implicated in a widespread age falsification scandal. The revelation, first reported by SaharaReporters, exposes a deep-rooted practice where officers allegedly manipulated their birth records to extend their service years, violating established police regulations.
Among those affected are Simon Lough, SAN, Benneth Igweh, and several other high-ranking officers. The comprehensive list of implicated officers spans multiple police training courses, dating as far back as 1988, underscoring the scale of the fraud.
Breakdown of Officers Affected:
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 36/2002 – 15 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 35/2000 – 33 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 34/96 – 12 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 4/94 (now Course 33) – 24 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 21/2002 – 14 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 20/2000 – 48 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 19/1996 – 34 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 18/94 – 11 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 25/2012 – 1 officer
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 31/1990 – 15 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 1/88 – 7 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 26/2012 – 5 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 37/2005 – 8 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 39/2009 – 2 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 1/2010 – 5 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 3/92 – 14 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Promotion Course 1/2003 (PSC Jos) – 209officers
A final list of 10 additional officers
The scandal has rocked the Nigerian Police Force, with sources indicating that hundreds of other officers have also been implicated in forgery, document falsification, and manipulation of service records. While some of the officers have quietly retired, others are now facing forced retirement as authorities move to enforce disciplinary actions.
This revelation raises serious concerns about corruption within law enforcement and the integrity of Nigeria’s policing system. Observers are now calling for a broader investigation into fraudulent practices within the force, urging the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Ministry of Interior to take decisive action against officers found guilty of misconduct.
With public trust in the police already fragile, this development underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and institutional reforms within the Nigerian Police Force. The fate of these officers now hangs in the balance as authorities determine the next steps in addressing this damning scandal.
PIONEER NEWS 