Tinubu Blocks Mass Firing Of 30 DIGs, AIGs Following Disu’s Takeover As Acting IGP

A planned shake-up that would have seen the compulsory retirement of around 30 Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) following the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has been halted by President Bola Tinubu.

Egbetokun has since handed over to his successor, Acting IGP Tunji Disu.

The media has exclusively learned that the President intervened to stop the mass firing of senior officers.

The appointment of a new Acting IGP has reignited a nationwide debate over the controversial practice of compulsory retirement for senior police officers. Historically, such transitions trigger a wave of exits among top-ranking officers.

An internal list circulating within the Force indicates that at least eight DIGs, including Yahaya Abubakar (Finance), Adebola Hamzat (Logistics), Adebowale Williams (ICT), and Frank Mba (Training), were expected to be retired to preserve the command hierarchy.

“However, the Presidency has halted the firing of DIGs and AIGs, saying the new acting IGP Disu needs their experience,” a Presidency source said on Friday

Disu’s appointment came less than two months before his scheduled retirement at the mandatory age of 60.

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu, police serial number AP 41729, was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General on March 6, 2025, and was originally set to retire on April 13, 2026.

Under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspectors-General of Police to serve a four-year tenure regardless of age, he would have been eligible to remain in office until 2030.

However, SaharaReporters has learned that unlike his predecessor, Egbetokun, recent developments may prevent Disu from enjoying an extension beyond his scheduled retirement date.

“They’re pushing to ensure Acting IGP Disu leaves in April, on the date he is required to retire,” the source said. “Several of the senior officers have had their hopes rekindled after the Police Service Commission, which had compiled 30 names of senior officers for retirement was asked to halt the process.”

On Tuesday, news broke that Egbetokun had been removed from his position as IGP.

In a related development, human rights lawyer and academic Prof. Chidi Odinkalu drew attention on Wednesday via his X account to a 2023 purge that saw the exit of several top-ranking officers following Egbetokun’s appointment as IGP.

At the centre of the controversy is a landmark court ruling, delivered just days after the death of the man who championed it, which declared such compulsory retirements unconstitutional.

Moses Jitoboh’s Case

When Egbetokun was appointed in June 2023, the Police Service Commission compulsorily retired then-54-year-old DIG Moses Ambakina Jitoboh, despite him having several years remaining before the statutory retirement age of 60.

The PSC had justified the move by citing a “police tradition” of retiring senior officers when a junior is promoted over them to avoid “status reversal.”

Jitoboh, refusing to accept the decision, sued the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force at the National Industrial Court in Suit No: NICN/ABJ/274/2023.

In the lawsuit, he contended that his appointment was protected by statutory provisions and could not be cut short based on a policy decision that conflicted with the law.