Headlines

Retired DIGs, AIGs Under Probe

Published

9 years ago

July 4, 2016

Intrigues, Power Play Of Their Retirements
Officers Set To Fight Back, May Expose New IG

The last may not have been heard about the purge in the top hierarchy of
the Nigerian Police last week, by the presidency following revelations that some of them may have had links with the now popular Dasukigate.
nationalTRAIL investigations reveal that, the Committee set up by the Federal Government, to look into the slush fund account
coordinated by the office of the embattled former National security Adviser, Ahmed Dasuki, has linked some of the retired
Deputy Inspectors General and the Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the disbursement of the funds.
According to source privy “virtually all of them were said to have received N=200,000,000 from the office of the Security Adviser in the run up to the 2015 general elections and they have not been able to give account of how the money was spent”. “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has all the detail of the transactions and in a bid to cover up, the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, had deployed another officer (name withheld) to the commission, designated for the office of the Director of Operations, which the acting Chairman turned down. Rather than admitting the truth, they went viral accusing the chairman of rejecting the officer on the ground that he is an Ibo man”. The decision to retire the Deputy Inspectors General and the Assistant Inspectors General, our source claimed was taken well ahead the retirement of Solomon
Arase, as the Inspector General of police, after an investigation into the activities of the retired officers revealed that they were massively enriched with huge money in their accounts and Houses in Nigeria and Europe. nationalTRAIL learnt that it was not a surprise that the immediate past police boss, Arase, acting a script sent the list of 2,058 to the Police Service Commission for promotion, which included the upgrade of a commissioner to Assistant inspector General, 59 superintendents to Chief Superintendents of Police and Deputy superintendents to Superintendents, among others. The retirement of the 20 Assistant Inspectors General of Police, some of whom have been described as being very knowledgeable in police job, our sources confirmed may not be unconnected with alleged suppressed reports on widespread corruption within the service, which the top echelon is perceived to have condoned, is generating bad blood. “Few hours before the announcement of the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpokum Idris, the DIGs and AIGs were said to have enlisted the support of the Chairman of the police Service Commission, Mr Mike Okiro, to appeal to the Presidency to save their jobs”, said the source. The Police Service Commission, had assured them that they would not be retired as some of them had three years to the end of their service, with others even less. Sources in the office of the new IG told our correspondent that, in a meeting with Okiro, the Acting Inspector General hinted he will shut his door against the AIGs and the DIGs before writing to the presidency for their retirement. Earlier, Comfort Obi, the Secretary of the Commission, had in a telephone interview denied knowledge of the letter sent to Presidency by the Acting Inspector General, Idris. But the letter, exclusively obtained by nationalTRAIL, indicates that, Idris, had appealed to the president to retire the AIGs and DIGs, if he must achieve his target as the number one police officer in Nigeria. The letter to the President was kept away from the Commission, twenty four hours before the approval by President Mohammad Buhari, and forwarded to the Commission, while the embattled AIGs and DIGs, were meeting in his House in Abuja. Sources within the commission who would not want his name mentioned confirmed this much but insisted that “The commission is not aware of how they AIGs managed the election funds, but it is normal during election to vote money to security agencies including police for the exercise” He said. Investigations reveal that, the retired officers may not go quietly,
as some of them are getting set toi challenge the integrity mantra associated with the new acting IG, saying, the issue of integrity was just an alibi to weed them out of the system having been perceived as posing threats to President Buhari’s plans. As it is, sources said the properties of all the retired senior officers, both at home and abroad as well as funds available to them in banks have been brought under scrutiny, and the EFCC may invite some of them soon to clarify certain ambiguities in their assets declarations, which were in contrast with their actual assets as verified. Our correspondent learnt that, the Acting IG, who was amongst officers initially investigated to ascertain their integrity as a precondition for appointment or promotion to higher rank, had told president Buhari, that only a massive purge in the Police could correct the negative connotations associated with the force.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.