The appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police may lead to the resignation of some senior officers in line with established police tradition, sources within the Police Service Commission have said.
According to insiders who spoke with Punch, between 15 and 20 senior officers who are senior to Disu could be affected by the development.
A source at the Police Service Commission said recent practice suggests that officers senior to a newly appointed IGP often step down.
The source said, “Going by recent practice, Disu’s seniors might have to submit their resignation letters. We might have those who may wish to stay behind and salute their juniors.
“The fact is that among the DIGs, we have people whose colleagues are still ACPs. Somebody like DIG Frank Mba, though those he joined the force with as cadets are still DCPs and the likes.
“Apart from the nine DIGs, the AIGs who are senior to him are not many. Between 15 and 20 may resign.”
However, police insiders explained that while the resignation of senior officers is rooted in tradition, it is not automatic.
“Resignation of senior officers is not as entrenched in the police culture like in the military. It has happened in the past that some seniors did not resign, and it has also happened that they resigned,” another source said.
The Deputy Inspectors-General who are senior to the acting IGP currently head key departments, including Finance and Administration, Operations, Logistics and Supply, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Training and Development, Research and Planning, Information and Communication Technology, and the Force Intelligence Bureau.
Sources further disclosed that the possible exit of senior DIGs and AIGs could create vacancies that would benefit other officers in the hierarchy.
“Should those DIGs and AIGs who are senior resign, there would be space for AIGs who are his juniors and CPs to move up. Also, DCPs and others would also benefit from that process,” a source said.
News understands that the anticipated changes are expected to trigger a fresh round of promotions and redeployments within the Nigeria Police Force as the new leadership takes shape.
