Police Leadership Shake-Up: Frank Mba, Other DIGs Step Aside as PSC Prepares Replacements
Abuja, Nigeria — A major leadership transition is underway in the Nigeria Police Force as Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Frank Mba and seven other senior officers have vacated their positions following the confirmation of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Sources within the Force Headquarters in Abuja indicated that the senior officers had already stepped aside from their roles, although formal retirement announcements were yet to be issued at the time of filing this report.
The development comes shortly after the Nigeria Police Council confirmed Mr Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, marking a new phase in the leadership structure of the force.
Promotion Process Underway
In response to the vacancies created by the departure of the DIGs, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has begun screening senior officers for promotion.
Seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) were invited to the PSC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, for promotion interviews aimed at filling the vacant DIG positions.
The officers considered for elevation include:
- Zacharia Achinyan
- Zango Baba
- Isyaku Mohammed
- Margaret Ochalla
- Mohammed Suleiman
- Kenechukwu Onwuemelie
- Umar Nadada
According to officials familiar with the process, another senior officer, Adegoke Fayoade, who had previously been recommended for promotion, may only be decorated with the new rank rather than undergo a fresh interview.
Tradition Behind the Exit
The decision by the DIGs to vacate office follows a long-standing tradition within the Nigeria Police hierarchy. When a junior officer is elevated to the position of Inspector-General, senior officers who previously outranked the new police chief often step aside to maintain the chain of command.
While Nigerian law does not explicitly compel such retirements, the practice has become a customary part of leadership transitions within the force.
Structure of the Police High Command
The Nigeria Police Force is organised into eight strategic departments, each overseen by a DIG under the authority of the Inspector-General. These departments cover critical operational areas including intelligence, investigations, logistics, finance, and training.
Before the latest development, the departments were headed by senior officers responsible for:
- Operations
- Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID)
- Intelligence
- Logistics and Supply
- Training and Development
- Information and Communication Technology
- Research and Planning
- Finance and Administration
The PSC is expected to announce the new DIG appointments in the coming days as the leadership restructuring progresses.
The transition marks one of the most significant personnel changes within the Nigeria Police Force in recent years, reflecting broader institutional adjustments following the appointment of the new Inspector-General.