The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), are facing criticism over alleged violations of the Police Act 2020 in the deployment of Commissioners of Police (CPs) to state commands across the country.
According to the Police Act 2020, both the PSC and the IGP have the authority to assign CPs to various state commands. However, the law mandates equitable deployment across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Legal Provisions on CP Deployment
Section 12(2) of Part IV of the Act states: “The Police Service Commission shall, from among the Commissioners of Police appointed under subsection (1), assign Commissioners of Police to state commands and to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”
Additionally, Section 12(4) stipulates: “The Police Service Commission or the Inspector-General of Police, in assigning or deploying… Commissioners of Police under this section… shall reflect the principle of Federal Character as provided in the Constitution and under the relevant Act.”
Alleged Imbalance in CP Deployment
The Federal Character principle implies fair representation of states and geopolitical zones in the appointment of CPs. By this standard, the South West and South South zones should each have six CPs, the South East five, and the North—with 19 states—should have 19 CPs.
However, findings by Daily Sun suggest an uneven deployment favoring the North and South West, while the South East and South South are underrepresented.
- The South West reportedly has 10 CPs leading state commands, covering states such as Rivers, Delta, Lagos, FCT, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, and Plateau.
- In contrast, the South South has only two CPs, and the South East just one.
- The North is said to have 23 CPs in charge of various state commands.
This alleged imbalance has sparked concerns within the police force.
Reactions from Retired Police Officers
A retired police officer, speaking anonymously, stated: “Where each state does not have a CP manning a state command at any given time, it violates the Police Act.”
Another retired Assistant Inspector General of Police pointed out: “No commissioner from the South East has ever served in Lagos or Kano, but CPs from the North and South West have consistently been posted to the South East.”
He recalled how former IGP Mike Okiro attempted to assign Donald Iroham, a CP from Imo State, to Lagos, only for the posting to be reversed en route, redirecting him to Kwara State instead.
PSC’s Response
Reacting to the allegations, PSC Public Relations Officer Ikechukwu Ani dismissed claims of marginalization, arguing that CP postings are dynamic and not tied to specific regions.
“The appointment and posting of Commissioners of Police is dynamic. There comes a time when it may favor a particular region,” Ani said.
He further pointed out that the South East currently has two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, more than any other region.
“The posting of CPs is not done by seniority. The IGP is the head of operations and determines who among the CPs can best manage each state.”
Ani assured that new postings would be announced soon, as some CPs are set to retire, potentially addressing regional disparities.
“There is no marginalization… The IGP knows the capacity of every CP under him and posts them accordingly,” he maintained.
