Concerns Heighten Days To Elections Over IGP, DIGs, AIGs, CPs, 290 Others

The expected retirement of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Alkali Usman Baba, three Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), Commissioners of Police (CPs), and 290 other policemen in the first quarter of this year have raised serious concerns.

The Police IG, who will turn 60 years in March, is due to retire alongside three DIGs and scores of AIGs who are all scheduled for retirement between this month and March ending.

Others due for retirement by March are 10 Commissioners of Police (CPs), five Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), about 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs), over 35 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), 47 Superintendents of Police (SPs), 55 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and 70 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs).

This unprecedented high volume of retirement has reportedly become a serious concern for the authorities, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

A source speaking to Daily Sun said: “There are fears over security during the general election as the full compliments of police personnel is needed nationwide in February when the presidential and National Assembly elections hold as well as March when the governorship and state Houses of Assembly election will take place.”

With three DIGs set to retire this month, sources revealed that among those leaving the force are Mobile Squadron Commanders, Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs).

Speaking on the mass retirement, an INEC official said the commission is not bothering itself about that as it is concentrating on conducting a credible election.

He, however, stated that authorities would know what to do concerning the security issue.

He said: “I should think that the Federal government knows what to do.”

Some retired police officers said the option of service extension till after the elections could be explored by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to a former IGP, the officers due for retirement should be given three months extension for effective elections monitoring.

“It is not easy to immediately fill their vacuum. Already, INEC and some people are saying that due to insecurity, the elections may not hold. In internal security, the police are the bedrock, the first to be called upon. And the elections involve internal security,” he told Daily Sun.

He said: “The Civil Service Rules say a civil servant is due for retirement after serving 35 years or after attaining 60 years of age, but the President has the prerogative to extend anybody’s tenure.”

A retired DIG from the North, who pleaded anonymity, said it would be the first time such a large number of police officers would go on retirement at the same period.

The former DIG said that “at such critical period, as during national elections, the president could grant an extension. It is not about the people who are to retire, but for national security. We need all the policemen to be around during elections.”

A retired AIG said: “I fear that effective monitoring of the elections may be affected if such a number is allowed to go at this crucial period of the elections. It is not possible to fill the vacuum immediately.”

A Commissioner at the PSC, who declined to be named, said the PSC would not be against an extension of the service period of IGP and the officers concerned.