Some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force have called on President Bola Tinubu to look into the recent promotion exercise in the Force.
The aggrieved officers told SaharaReporters that the police promotion exercise under the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was full of irregularities, corruption and illegalities.
They claimed the personnel attached to top politicians are given promotion every year against the Nigerian constitution and police Act.
Among personnel mentioned is Abdulrahman Baba Garba, the Aide-de-camp to the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
SaharaReporters gathered that Baba was decorated as Superintendent of Police by Jibrin on 13th of March, 2024.
He is also among the officers promoted to Chief Superintendent of Police in March 2025.
“Yesterday, I decorated my aide-de-camp (ADC), Abdulrahman Baba Garba, who was recently promoted from Superintendent of Police (SP) to Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) of the Nigeria Police Force.
“Garba’s wife supported me during the decoration. This is a testament to his exceptional competence and unwavering dedication to his duties,” the Deputy Senate President posted on his X page on March 6, 2025.
Garba’s wife supported me during the decoration. This is a testament to his exceptional competence and unwavering dedication to his duties.
His remarkable zeal and commitment to his work have earned him special recognition. pic.twitter.com/XlPE0vC8m9
— Barau I. Jibrin (@barauijibrin) March 6, 2025
According to section 2 (5) of the police Act, officers moving to higher rank must not have grading below B for three (3) consecutive years.
“2.5.5 Deputy Superintendent of Police – Superintendent of Police (DSP -SP) A DSP may be eligible for promotion to the rank of Superintendent of Police subject to the following criteria: i. Seniority; ii. He/she must have served three [3] years on the rank; iii. He/she must have earned B grades in APER for three [3] preceding years; He/she must have attended the DSP – SP promotion vi. course and passed the prescribed examinations. iv. He/she must not have any pending disciplinary matter (PDM).
“2.5.6 Superintendent of Police – Chief Superintendent Police (SP 13 – CSP) A Superintendent of Police may be eligible for promotion to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police subject to the following criteria: Seniority; i. The officer must have spent at least three [3] years as ii. a Superintendent of Police; iii. He/she must have earned B grade in APER for three [3] preceding years; iV. He/she must have attended the SP – CSP promotion course and passed the prescribed examinations. V. He/she must not have any pending disciplinary matter. (PDM).”
Speaking to SaharaReporters, a personnel who claimed to have been stuck in the same rank for over four years said, “I became a SP in 2021 but a boy was promoted from DSP to my rank in 2024. A year after, same boy is now my senior, a CSP. Someone who used to be my subordinate is now my boss that I have to take instructions from him, it’s so sad.”
“We’re looking at the bastardization of our public institutions in real time. These ranks no longer mean anything. They just killed Nigerian Police and Law, this so disheartening and discouraging. Most officers are weak.”
Another officer added, “This is one reason why police personnel don’t respect their superior officers. We would be course mates and before you open your eyes, ‘connection’ had already made your former course mate to become your two rank senior.”
In September 2024, the Police Service Commission announced the abolition of special promotions in the Force.
The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.) disclosed this when he received a delegation of members of the executive of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria at his office in Abuja.
A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations of the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, had assured that the Commission would no longer be a rubber stamp for this irregular means of promotion in the Nigeria Police Force.
The statement had read, “The Chairman of the Police Service Commission has announced that special promotions are henceforth abolished in the Nigeria Police Force.
“He declared that merit based on passing of prescribed examination and other basic requirements will now count on the promotion of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force.
“He noted that there is nothing like special promotion anywhere around the world, stressing that the Commission under his watch will not encourage it.
“The PSC Chairman said the law, however, allows for accelerated promotion for Officers who have shown uncommon dexterity in the discharge of their duties but noted that this will be done with care so as not to abuse it.”
Source: SaharaReporters
