From Haruna Tula – Abuja

Palpable tension is building up nationwide in the police. The SUPREME discrete investigations have revealed.

The tension is as a result of the National Industrial Court ruling against the outgoing controversial Inspector-General of Police Dr Kayode Egbetokun today In Abuja.
The court ruled today that the forced compulsory retired police officers should be reinstated.

Some grumbling serving officers lament that, positions of the forced retired officers have been eagerly and promptly filled. And that, there are no vacancies to accommodate the forced retired officers.

The SUPREME learnt that, some of the 200 forced retired officers were Command Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) whose positions have been hurriedly filled since February on the orders of Egbetokun.

As it is, their reinstatement will cause uproar, as their previous offices have been occupied by their junior colleagues.

Egbetokun in February this year 2025 hastily retired the 200 police officers compulsorily.

The compulsory retirement was on disputed allegation that, the officers forged their dates of entry into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The affected officers who felt injurious, dragged the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Police Force Secretary and the Police Service Commission (PSC/ to the National Industrial Court Abuja, challenging the “unwarranted” compulsory retirement.

Egbetokun apparently aware that the case will end in fiasco and the police would pay damages to the affected officers, or reinstate them with no existing vacancies, that may cause tension, had been applying tactical delays in absenting from court proceedings.

But the court ruled today that the officers did not forge their dates of entry. Rather, they followed due process after passing out from Police Colleges, ratified by the Police Service Commission (PSC), which issued them letters of appointment

The Court read it’s judgement today 30/9/25, resolved all issues in favor of the Claimants (the forced retired officers).
The Court directed the Defendants (IGP,) Force Secretary and the PSC to recall the Claimants (forced retired officers) to continue their service/work accordingly.

Issues were formulated by the Court for determination of the Suit. It first bordered on jurisdiction to entertain the Suit, and this was resolved in favor of the Claimants (officers) against the Defendants (IGP and PSC) Issue two, bothered on the substance of the Suit as it related to the action of the Defendants via the Circular of 31st January 2025 (sending them on compulsory retirement.)
On the second issue, the act of the 2nd Defendant via the Circular of 2nd Defendant amounts to sitting on appeal on a decision of a court of competent jurisdiction thus, the circular is hereby set aside. All the claimants are hereby entitled to the reliefs sought

The case was last week adjourned till today 30/09//25 for judgement.

Last week, IGP Egbetokun, Force Secretary and their counsels were as usual tactically absent in cour. As a result, the court adjourned the case and directed that Hearing Notice should be served on Egbetokun (2nd defendant) and Force Secretary (3rd defendant) to that effect to appear today 30/9/25 for ruling

The SUPREME learnt that, former IGPs who are embarrassed by Egbetokun:s impetus action met three times last month August 2025 to resololve the imbrpglo.

However, Egbetokun we gathered was said to be uncomfortable with his former bosses’ intervention, accusing them of “usurping his functions.”

The former IGPs including late IGP Solomon Arase met in respect of the legal imbroglio, with a view to resolving the matter out of court

We gathered that the former
IGPs, “met to examine the justification behind these retirements,” one of them lamented.

“This initiative is a testament to the (former IGPs) forum, commitment to the welfare of police officers and the integrity of the force,” they stressed

Reacting to a previous publication ascribed to Egbetokun, one of the former IGPs Mike Okiro who was said to have attended the three meetings noted that: “We are convinced that the publication emanated from a group of people who are happy with the suffering of these retired police officers. Despite this, the forum of retired IGPs will continue to foster harmony and advocate for the welfare of our colleagues.

We will not be swayed by malicious propaganda. Our focus remains on ensuring that the rights and dignity of both serving and retired police officers are protected and respected.”

Lamenting Egbetokun’s alleged arrogance, Okiro speaking on behalf of other IGPs assured that: “We will not be intimidated or stampede the forum into abandoning its commitment to the welfare of these officers; rather, it will galvanize our resolve to pursue justice and fairness for all.”

The former IGP urged “well-meaning Nigerians to support our efforts in promoting the welfare of police officers and advancing the cause of justice and security in our country.'”

Earlier immediate past IGP Usman Baba Alkali noted that Kayode Egbetokun is a wrong choice to be appointed IGP.
Alkali who handed over to Egbetokun in 2023, observed that, Egbetokun lacks administrative experuence.
Some serving senior officers who spoke under strict anonymity lamented that, “he (Egbetokun) has destroyed the police than he met it “
Another disclosed that, “no motivation for officers on special duties.” Yet another lamented that, “special duty allowances for officers per week cannot sustain them for three days”.
Another noted that, Egbetokun lacks professionalism. “He lacks experuence. Remember the unprovoked killings in Plateau Benue and Katsina. He lacks proactive experience to curtail criminality. It’s unfortunate.”
They urged President Bola Tinubu and the Senate to probe Egbetokun on how he is spending police money approved in the budget.

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