ABUJA, Nigeria — The appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police has drawn attention to an unusual convergence at the top of the Nigeria Police Force, where many of the most senior officers are approaching statutory retirement within a short period.
Personnel records reviewed by PRNigeria indicate that the acting police chief and most serving Deputy Inspectors-General were enlisted into the force on the same day, May 18, 1992.
Under Nigeria Police regulations, officers retire either after 35 years of service or upon reaching the mandatory age limit, whichever comes first, placing several senior officers on track to leave service in 2026 and 2027.
Shared Entry, Diverging Exit Dates
According to official records, Acting Inspector-General Disu and eight serving Deputy Inspectors-General share the same enlistment date and similar career trajectories, marked by accelerated promotions over the years.
All bear police serial numbers beginning with “AP,” indicating the same intake cohort.
Despite their shared entry date, differences in birth dates mean their retirement timelines vary. Many are expected to reach retirement eligibility in 2026, with others following in 2027.
Background of the Acting Inspector-General
Disu, whose police serial number is AP 41729, was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General on March 6, 2025, before his appointment as Acting Inspector-General following the replacement of Kayode Egbetokun.
A graduate of English, Disu previously served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and later as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department at Alagbon, Lagos.
Based on age requirements, he would ordinarily be due for retirement in April 2026.
Senior Deputies and Retirement Timelines
Among the Deputy Inspectors-General whose retirement windows are approaching is Frank Mba, currently overseeing the Department of Training and Development.
Born on October 9, 1971, Mba was promoted to DIG in June 2023 and is due for retirement in May 2027.
Other senior officers include Sadiq Idris Abubakar, head of the Force Criminal Investigation Department at headquarters in Abuja, who was born on November 20, 1966, and is expected to retire in November 2026.
Adebowale William, who oversees the Department of Information and Communication Technology, was born on January 28, 1966, and is due for retirement in January 2026.
Others approaching retirement include Bzigu Yakubu Kwazhi, head of the Department of Operations, expected to retire in April 2027; Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, who supervises Logistics and Supply, due in November 2026; and Basil Idegwu, head of Research and Planning, expected to retire in May 2027.
Also listed are Dankwara Adamu Mohammed, in charge of Finance and Administration and due for retirement in October 2026, and Mohammed Usaini Gumel, head of the Force Intelligence Department, scheduled to retire in November 2026.
Implications for the Police Force
PRNigeria noted that the near-identical service seniority of the acting police chief and the serving Deputy Inspectors-General presents a rare administrative situation.
In Nigeria’s military and paramilitary institutions, leadership changes are often accompanied by retirements or redeployments of senior officers with similar enlistment dates.
No official retirement notices or redeployment decisions have been announced. However, security analysts say the clustering of retirement dates could lead to a substantial reconstitution of the police leadership within the next year.
As Disu assumes office in an acting capacity, attention within the force is expected to focus on succession planning, promotions and the future composition of the Force Management Team.
The outcome is likely to shape the strategic direction of the Nigeria Police Force at a time of heightened security challenges nationwide.
