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BREAKING: Age-Falsifying Senior Police Officers Threaten IGP Egbetokun, Demand His Retirement Alongside Theirs, Call His Post-Retirement Actions Illegal

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SaharaReporters learnt from police sources on Sunday that Lough, Owohunwa and the other officers invited to appear before the disciplinary committee may be demoted or dismissed outright.

 

Six senior police officers implicated in age falsification and circumventing service regulations are threatening the Nigerian Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, insisting that he must retire along with them.

The six officers are Idowu Owohunwa, Simon Lough, SAN, Benneth Igweh, Aina Emmanuel, Salama Wakili Abdul, and Adepoju Olugbenga.

SaharaReporters reported on Saturday that Egbetokun had ordered these senior police officers who are either over 60 years old or have served for more than 35 years and refused to retire, to appear before a disciplinary committee at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The hearings are scheduled between Monday, February 10, and Thursday, February 13.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learnt from police sources on Sunday that Lough, Owohunwa and the other officers invited to appear before the disciplinary committee may be demoted or dismissed outright.

“The goal of the IGP Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) is to reduce the ranks and/or dismiss them outright,” a source said.

Sources also informed SaharaReporters that in addition to refusing to retire unless Egbetokun—who has also surpassed his retirement age—retires with them, the senior officers assert that all actions taken by the police chief (Egbetokun) since his official retirement date on September 4, 2024, are null and void.

They argue that all actions taken by Egbetokun since then are illegal, including his issuance of retirement letters to them, which they have refused to acknowledge.

“The senior police officers invited to appear before a disciplinary committee are threatening the police IG Egbetokun, saying that he must retire along with them since he has also passed his retirement and only saved by the President and the National Assembly,” one of the sources said.

“They also said that every action taken by Egbetokun since last September 4, his official retirement date, is illegal, including, but not limited to, the issuance of retirement letters to them, which they have refused to honour.”

Additionally, the senior police officers have seized upon the directive to appear before the disciplinary committee in their “working dress” as an admission by the police authorities that they are still very much in active service.

“They are also saying that if he ordered them to arrive in uniform for disciplinary action after they have been purportedly retired, then he is accepting that they are still in service,” one of the sources said.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police officers and many others were implicated in forgery, falsification, and bypassing service regulations.

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters learnt that almost 500 police officers were implicated in the scandal involving forgery, age falsification, and bypassing service regulations. However, some have quietly retired.

“There are also others who went to the National Industrial Court on Friday, with the IG’s lawyer promising not to retire them,” one of the sources said.

 

BACKGROUND 

On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported that the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun, had ordered that the senior police officers who refused to retire should appear before a disciplinary committee.

The police signal dated February 7, 2025 and obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, reads, “

“INGENPOL directs you warn and release AP. No. 50645 Idowu Owohunwa, AΡ/ΝΟ. 50703, AIG Benneth Igweh, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 41704, CP Aina Emmanuel, AP/NO.41741, CP Salama Wakili Abdul, ΑΡ/ΝΟ. 46522, Adepoju Olugbenga Adewole, AP/NO. 57917 DCP Simon Lough, SAN, serving yours to appear before the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC) sitting from 10/02/2025 ΤΟ 13/05/2025.

 

“Time 1000HRS; venue IGP’S Conference Hall, 7th floor, Force Headquarters, Abuja. They are to report in their clean working dress; note daily dress code to be strictly adhered to. Treat as very important please.”

 

On Friday, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that a mutiny was brewing within the Nigeria Police Force, as over 200 senior officers were refusing to retire despite being found to have falsified their birth records.

SaharaReporters learnt that some of the officers had been serving for up to 44 years and that the development had led to tensions between Egbetokun and the Deputy Inspector General of the Federal Investigation Department, Dasuki Galandanchi.

Galandanchi is seeking a two-year extension, citing the precedent set by Egbetokun, who was granted an extension despite being due for retirement last year.

Galandanchi is set to retire next month, but SaharaReporters learnt that the police IG Egbetokun was not keen on having Galandanchi around due to concerns about his personal conduct and behaviour. He has been described as having a reckless lifestyle and a larger-than-life demeanour.

 

“Galandanchi is stating that if he must retire, Egbetokun must also retire,” one of the sources privy to happenings in the Force said.

“He is at war with Egbetokun over the issue and has requested for two-year extension.”

 

On July 23, 2024, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Senate had passed a controversial amendment bill to extend Egbetokun’s tenure beyond September.

The Nigerian Senate passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2024 to amend the Police Act of 2020.

President Bola Tinubu had sent the Police Act Amendment Bill to the House of Representatives, proposing changes to the tenure of the IGP.

 

 

On February 5, SaharaReporters reported that IGP Egbetokun had directed the immediate retirement of senior police officers who had either exceeded the age of 60 or served for more than 35 years.

The directive was outlined in a letter dated February 1, 2025, signed by CP Bode Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary, on behalf of the Inspector General of Police. It was addressed to Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commandants of Police Staff Colleges in Jos and Kano, Commissioners of Police, and Commandants of Police Colleges nationwide.

The letter is titled “Re: Police Service Commission Decision At Its 1st Extra Ordinary Meeting Of The 6th Management Board On The Regularisation Of Date Of First Appointment Of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors Force Entrants.”

 

It reads, “Attached letter No. CH: 8400.IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.17/90 dates 31st January, 2025 with its attachments received from the Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters Abuja in respect of the above underlined subject refers.

“I am to convey the directive of the Inspector General of Police that you ensure comprehensive implementation of the decision with emphasis on paragraphs 3 and 4 of the attachment letter under reference.”

The PSC’s decision, referenced in the letter, was previously communicated to the IGP in a letter dated January 31, 2025, and signed by Nnamani Onyemuche, Secretary to the PSC.

Paragraphs 3 and 4 to be given emphasis read: “Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday 31st January 2025 has approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.

 

“Any omission discovered subsequently on this issue also falls within this approval.”

Paragraph 5 reads: Please implement, inform the affected officers and make replacement for the vacancies thereafter immediately and forward to the commission for its consideration and approval.”

On the list of those who should have retired but still in service going by their dates of enlistment are: Simon Asamber Lough who should have retired on January 8, 2022 going by his date of enlistment.

Others listed include Benneth Chinedu Igweh (January 5, 2023), Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji, Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Mukar Sule, Adamu Danjuma, Ajao Olusegun, and Iriemi Solomon.

SaharaReporters reported on Friday, January 31, 2025 that the PSC had approved the immediate retirement of senior police officers who were over 60 years old or had served for 35 years.

 

The PSC approved the retirement of the senior officers at its first extraordinary meeting.

Ikechukwu Ani, PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, in a statement on Friday, said the “PSC rose from its first extraordinary meeting with the approval for the immediate retirement of senior police officers who have spent more than 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age”.

 

The Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), presided over the extraordinary meeting, which also had in attendance Justice Adamu Paul Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Hon. Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), Hon. Commissioner representing the Police and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.

 

Ani said the Commission’s decision had been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for implementation.

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BLOOD BETRAYAL! Two Sisters, a Civil Defence Officer and an Immigration Officer, Busted for Kidnapping Their Own Brother for ₦30M Ransom!

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In a jaw-dropping twist that has left Nigerians in shock, two sisters, Juliet Chukwu (a Civil Defence officer) and Ngozi Nancy Chukwu (an Immigration officer) — have been arrested by the Anti-Cult Squad of Enugu State Police Command for allegedly masterminding the kidnap of their own elder brother, Mr. Friday Chukwu, and a company official, Engr. Igwe Denis Chibueze.

It all started in May when Mr. Friday Chukwu was abducted along the Enugu-PH Express Road. Reports allege that the family paid a ransom of ₦30 million for his release, not knowing his own sisters were behind it.

But the story didn’t end there…

On July 14th, Engr. Igwe Denis Chibueze, CLO of China Oriental Quarry Company, was also kidnapped in a similar fashion, with a ₦10 million ransom demand. A swift operation by security personnel traced the suspects to a hotel where they were caught red-handed splitting ransom money.

Further investigations revealed the sisters had been linked to multiple criminal cases in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State — including staged kidnappings, pipeline vandalism, looting of rail lines, and alleged collaboration with Fulani herders to terrorize local communities.

From uniform to underworld — who can you really trust these days?

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Plateau attacks: ‘Soldiers supporting Fulani militias to attack us’ – Community leader alleges

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A community leader in Jebbu Binde village of Ta-Hoss District in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, where gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias attacked on Monday killing over 30 people, has accused the military of supporting the bandits.

The community leader, Rev Davou Musa, who is the Chairman of the Regional Church Council (RCC) of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Riyom, made the allegation while addressing Governor Caleb Mutfwang during his visit to the community for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage and to condole with the victims.

While addressing the Governor, Rev Musa revealed that the armed assailants would not have found it so easy to invade the community in large numbers and operate for hours despite military operatives stationed only 200 meters away, if they did not have the backing of the soldiers.

According to the RCC Chairman, despite repeated and frantic calls for help, the military refused to come to their aid and refused to intervene to prevent the carnage, with no arrests made in the aftermath.

He blamed the military for failing in its duty to protect the people and accused the personnel of complicity by shielding the attackers and called on the federal government to withdraw the special military task force deployed in the community since they cannot protect the people.

“I have told the GOC in clear terms and I’m repeating it to your hearing that his (GOC) men are busy supporting the Fulani, even in grazing and farmland destruction,” Musa said.

“The assailants found it easy to invade the community and operated for hours and the soldiers who were stationed only 200 meters away refused to come to our aid despite frantic calls made to them.

“The heinous attack claimed innocent lives, left many others injured, and resulted in the destruction of homes, including a church. Food items belonging to villagers were also looted by the attackers, compounding the tragedy,” he alleged.

Musa also alleged that the soldiers were compromised and more concerned with protecting Fulani cattle than human lives.

“Is it not clear that the military is protecting and shielding the attackers? When Fulani herders are victims of cattle theft, the security forces respond swiftly, deploying multiple Hilux vehicles loaded with armed personnel to investigate and apprehend suspects.

“Conversely, attacks on villages resulting in loss of human life often receive a slower and less robust response. This disparity in security deployment has continued to raise concerns about prioritization and protection of human lives.

‘It is now glaring that the military is compromised and are more concerned with protecting our attackers instead of our people and our communities,” Rev Musa claimed.

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Okigwe in Crisis: Governor Uzodimma’s Silence Amidst Rising Insecurity

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Okigwe, a small peaceful town in Imo State, is gripped by fear and uncertainty following a series of alarming incidents. On July 10, 2025, approximately 40 shops were razed down along the Okigwe express roundabout in a suspected arson attack.

Eyewitnesses reported that individuals in police uniforms poured fuel on the shops and set them ablaze, with gunshots fired to scare away onlookers. The gunfire persisted until the next morning, resulting in millions of naira in losses.

Despite the town being heavily surveilled by security forces, including soldiers, none intervened to stop the arson or apprehend the perpetrators.

According to Ekwutosblog security presence only became apparent the following morning, when personnel surrounded the burnt shops, allegedly to prevent people from taking pictures.

This incident is the latest in a string of security breaches in Okigwe. Just weeks ago, armed men attacked villages around the town, killing 24 people, mostly returning from a wake-keeping.

The attacks have sparked widespread concern, with many believing that security agents are complicit in the violence.

Residents are now living in fear, with kidnappings, murders, and disappearances occurring daily. Despite the increased security presence, not a single kidnapper or killer has been arrested.

The people of Okigwe are crying out for answers, and the silence from Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration has only added to their frustration.

Questions linger: What is happening in Okigwe? Why has Governor Uzodimma remained silent on these incidents? And when will the people of Okigwe be safe again?

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