In a move that has stirred controversy, the Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted 100 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), even as the force grapples with a deepening age falsification scandal.
The promotion list, obtained by Sahara Reporters on Tuesday, includes several notable officers such as CSP Ifeanyi Owo from Enugu State, who joined the force on January 1, 1991, and is set to retire on January 1, 2026. Others promoted include Osigimo K. Ikoli from Bayelsa State, Ibrahim Mohammed Agava from Kogi State, Akinloye Joseph Oyegade from Oyo State, and Rilwanu Mohammed Dutse from Kaduna State, all of whom enlisted between 1991 and 2002.
The announcement comes amid mounting allegations that numerous senior officers have manipulated their ages to extend their service years unlawfully. The controversy has cast a shadow over the integrity of police leadership, with accusations that officers are circumventing retirement regulations.
Recently, Sahara Reporters revealed that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun ordered the mass redeployment of officers found guilty of forgery, age falsification, and other infractions. Reports indicate that at least 467 police officers were discovered to have altered their official birth records, with many quietly retiring to avoid public scrutiny.
As the scandal deepens, sources disclose that IGP Egbetokun has taken a hardline stance, directing all senior officers who refused to retire despite their fraudulent records to appear before a disciplinary committee. This move follows Sahara Reporters’ exclusive report of an emerging mutiny within the force, with some officers serving for over 44 years and resisting retirement.
The crisis has also brought friction between Egbetokun and the Deputy Inspector-General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galandanchi, who is reportedly pushing for a two-year extension, citing the precedent set by Egbetokun himself, who received an extension despite reaching retirement age last year.
Two internal police signals obtained by Sahara Reporters indicate that on February 9, Egbetokun ordered the replacement of affected officers. Police authorities have now officially authorized the retirement of all implicated personnel, signaling an effort to restore order and credibility within the force.
However, the latest promotions raise fresh concerns about accountability and meritocracy in the Nigeria Police Force. As questions linger over the integrity of the promoted officers, the controversy underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to curb corruption and enforce service regulations.
PIONEER NEWS 