Alleged ₦5 Million Bribe-For-Promotion Scandal Rocks Police Hierarchy

Fresh allegations of corruption have emerged within the Nigerian Police Force following claims that several senior officers allegedly paid about ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to Sahara Reporters, the allegations reportedly stem from documents obtained from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

An internal police wireless message dated February 23, 2026, reportedly confirmed the controversial promotions.

The message, referenced SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40, stated that the promotions were approved following communication from the Police Service Commission.

“Promotion Senior Officers x CSP to ACP x Ref Polscom Letnos. PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 31/07/2025 and PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 05/08/2025 x Ingenpol has graciously approved the release of promotion of the under-listed CSPs to substantive rank of ACP x with effect from the date indicated against their names,” the message read.

The directive, which was circulated to various police departments and commands across the country, also instructed authorities to acknowledge the promotions.

“Convey Ingenpol’s hearty congratulation to the affected senior officers x Gazette and Force Order publications to follow x Please,” the document added.

Eight officers were listed as beneficiaries of the promotion from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police.

They include Ibrahim Tijani Umaira, Mohammed Amini, Usman Abdul Dimka, Iwok Ndifere, Mohammed I. Musa, Jimoh Shittu, Muhammad S. Ibrahim and Promise Wosu.

According to the document, the promotions took effect between July 28 and August 5, 2025.

However, sources within the police hierarchy alleged that the promotions were not strictly based on merit but were influenced by payments allegedly made to officials within the Police Service Commission.

“The Police Service Commission secretly released this promotion under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” a senior police officer familiar with the development said.

The source claimed that each officer allegedly paid about ₦5 million to secure the elevation.

“These are new special promotions secretly done under Egbetokun. There are allegations that these men paid ₦5 million to get ACP rank while their course mates are left unpromoted,” the source added.

The development is said to have sparked dissatisfaction within the force, with some officers reportedly complaining that they were overlooked despite meeting the necessary criteria for promotion.

“This has created serious tension within the force because many officers who are qualified were ignored while others suddenly jumped ranks,” another insider said.