A major leadership reshuffle may soon occur within the Nigeria Police Force as several Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) are reportedly facing possible compulsory retirement following the appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police.
The development comes as the Police Service Commission (PSC) scheduled a promotion interview for seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) seeking elevation to the rank of DIG.
According to an internal message from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the interactive promotion exercise is scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the PSC Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.
The officers invited for the promotion interview include:
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 directive instructed the officers to appear before the commission and advised them to refresh their knowledge in key policing areas, including professional studies, relevant legal frameworks, and police regulations.
They were also directed to attend the interview in official attire consisting of a black jacket, beret, and swagger cane.
The promotion exercise forms part of the routine career advancement process within the Nigeria Police hierarchy and is conducted in collaboration with the PSC, the constitutional body responsible for the appointment, promotion, and discipline of senior police officers.
The anticipated exercise comes amid discussions within the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the police leadership about restructuring the force’s high command to allow the new Inspector-General assemble his management team.
Sources within the force said uncertainty over the tenure of some serving DIGs has intensified internal lobbying among senior officers, with some seeking to retain their positions despite the expected leadership adjustments.
IGP Tunji Disu, who was initially scheduled to retire on April 13, 2026, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, may remain in office longer following provisions in the amended Police Act that allow an Inspector-General to serve a fixed four-year tenure regardless of age or years of service.
Meanwhile, internal documents indicate that at least eight serving DIGs — including Yahaya Abubakar (Finance), Adebola Hamzat (Logistics), Adebowale Williams (ICT), Frank Mba (Training), and Basil Idegwu (Research and Planning) — could be affected by the anticipated restructuring.
Observers say the outcome of the promotion interviews and subsequent decisions by the authorities will determine the future composition of the Nigeria Police high command in the coming weeks.