The Nigeria Police Service Commission has received a formal petition from aggrieved police officers who claim that several retired Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) are still performing official duties as if they were active officers.
The petition, which has been copied to the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Assembly, and the Federal Civil Service Commission, identifies the retired officers as AIG Oyediran Oyeyemi Adesoye, AIG Stephen O. Olarewaju, and AIG Danladi Bitrus Lalas.
AIG Adesoye, who served as a key member of the Police Cooperatives in Lagos, retired in April 2024. AIG Olarewaju, who was the Head of Works, retired on October 1, 2024, while AIG Lalas, the Head of the Police Airwing, retired on November 5, 2024.
According to Sahara Reporters, the petition, dated December 4, 2024, raises concerns about the impact of their continued involvement in official roles.
It alleges that these retired officers’ actions are preventing qualified officers from receiving deserved promotions, thus creating an unjust environment that undermines morale within the police force and erodes public trust.
The petition reads in part: “We wish to formally express our deep apprehension regarding a significant violation of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, specifically the provisions outlined in sections 18 and 11(2)(a).
It has come to our attention that these senior officers are continuing to perform their duties as though they are still in active service, despite having retired.”
It further claims that the continued participation of these retired officers obstructs the promotion process, leaving deserving individuals, who have met necessary qualifications and service requirements, without the advancement they are entitled to.
AIG Lalas, in particular, is named in a separate document, where he reportedly signed off on official police documents dated November 24, 2024, weeks after his retirement.
In one such document, Lalas discusses a contract for supplying armoured helicopters to the Nigeria Police Force, raising further concerns about his involvement in official matters post-retirement.
The petition calls for a thorough investigation into the actions of the retired officers, urging the Nigeria Police Service Commission to hold them accountable and uphold the rule of law to restore integrity to the promotion process and the police force as a whole.