Following the retirement of seven Deputy Inspectors-General of Police alongside the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar last Thursday, seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and a Commissioner of Police have been shortlisted by the Police Service Commission to become DIGs.

Investigation shows that the Commission has concluded plans to promote AIGs Solomon Arase; Christopher Dega; Bala Nasarawa and Mamman Tsafe as DIGs.

Other AIGs that may also be elevated to the rank of DIGs include Salihu Argungu, the Force Secretary, Dan’Azumi Doma, Adisa Bolanta and CP Hilary Opara.

The DIGs and the IG constitute the Police Management Team, which administers the Force and take administrative and operational decisions.

Findings indicate that Opara was shortlisted for promotion to the DIG to correct the imbalance in the Police and address the complaints of marginalisation by the South-East zone.

But the Commissioner in charge of Media, Police Service Commission, Comfort Obi, who confirmed that some AIGs would be appointed as DIGs next week, explained that the PSC was yet to receive a letter of retirement from the seven DIGs that served with Abubakar.

According to her, the normal procedure was for the DIGs to send their letter of retirement to the PSC, if they did not want to serve under the acting IG, Suleiman Abba, “who they may consider as their junior being a member of Course 13.”

The PSC commissioner stated that the DIGs, who served with Abubakar, have not left the service, adding that the Commission was yet to receive their letter of retirement.

When told that the men have not been seen at work since the appointment of the acting IG, Obi said, “Maybe they have retired themselves but we (PSC) have not received their letter of retirement and we have not met to deliberate on their case and send them their letter of retirement.”

Obi confirmed that Opara would be promoted as DIG, but disagreed that the South-East was marginalised in the Police, noting that his appointment was informed by the fact that he is the most senior officer from the South-East zone.

She stated that the South-East zone was well represented in the Police, like other zones in the country, adding that the expected elevation of Opara is normal.

The appointment of DIGs, she added, is a political decision.

Obi said, “I have always said it and let me repeat that the South-East is not marginalised in the Police. The appointment of DIGs is political, and at that level, every zone is represented.

“Opara will be appointed a DIG because he is the most senior CP from the South-East. Even, if he is a Deputy Commissioner of Police, he will still be appointed as DIG as long as he is the most senior officer from that zone. He is not the first CP to enjoy the leap from CP to DIG. The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, was appointed DIG from CP; former PSC chairman, Parry Osayande was elevated to DIG from CP, and even Fidelis Oyhakilome.”