EXCLUSIVE: Eight Police DIGs, Including Frank Mba, Retire, Consider Legal Action Over Exit Terms

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SaharaReporters reports that the affected Deputy Inspectors-General of Police include former Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba, Sadiq Idris Abubakar, Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi (DIG in charge of Operations), Adebola Hamzat, Basil Okwuoma Idegwu, Mohammed Gumel, Dankwara Adamu Mohammed, and Funsho Adegboye.

Eight senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly retired from service on Friday and are said to be weighing legal action to challenge the circumstances surrounding their retirement.

Sources within the police hierarchy disclosed that the retired DIGs are currently reviewing the circumstances surrounding their exit from service.

According to the sources, the officers are considering legal action and may approach the court to challenge the decision.

The potential legal challenge is expected to focus on whether due process was followed in determining their retirement dates and whether the action complied with existing service regulations governing tenure and retirement within the Nigeria Police Force.

SaharaReporters earlier on Thursday reported that the DIGs were set to be compulsorily retired following the appointment of Tunji Disu as the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Earlier on Friday, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that seven AIGs invited by the Police Service Commission (PSC) for promotion interviews had successfully passed the screening.

As a result, they are scheduled to be decorated as DIGs by IGP Tunji Disu on Monday. The officers are AIG Zacharia Fera Achinyan, AIG Zango Ibrahim Baba, AIG Isyaku Mohammed, AIG Margaret Agebe Ochalla, AIG Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, AIG Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, and AIG Umar Shehu Nadada.

The promotion screening took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 9 a.m.

SaharaReporters learnt that DIG Adegoke Mustapha Fayoade, who was promoted from AIG to DIG in February, will also be decorated on Monday.

The PSC had approved his promotion on February 20, 2026, following his performance in the Commission’s written examination and oral interview.

The promotion exercise is part of routine career progression within the Nigeria Police Force and is conducted in collaboration with the Police Service Commission, which oversees appointments, promotions, and discipline of senior officers.

On Tuesday, SaharaReporters reported that pressure was mounting on President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the future of several DIGs, amid concerns that the newly appointed IGP, Disu, lacked a stable management team.

Multiple sources within the Force disclosed that the uncertainty had triggered intense internal manoeuvring, with some senior officers lobbying to retain their positions.

However, SaharaReporters learnt on Thursday evening that the administration had resolved to let the DIGs go.

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. Prior to his elevation as IGP, he was due to retire on April 13, 2026.

Under the amended Police Act, Inspectors-General of Police are permitted to serve a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or years of service. By this provision, Disu could remain in office until 2030.

Nonetheless, SaharaReporters had previously reported that, unlike his predecessor Kayode Egbetokun, emerging political and institutional dynamics may prevent Disu from enjoying an extension beyond his scheduled retirement date.

Earlier, stakeholders had urged President Tinubu to overhaul the police leadership structure to allow Disu to assemble his own management team.

The appointment of a new Acting IGP has reignited nationwide debate over the controversial practice of compulsory retirement for senior police officers, a tradition that historically triggers waves of exits among top-ranking officers.