The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a wide-ranging redeployment of senior officers across the Nigeria Police Force in what authorities describe as a major effort to strengthen security operations nationwide.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, involves the posting of several Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to new commands, departments, and strategic units.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, the redeployment is part of ongoing reforms aimed at improving efficiency, strengthening leadership, and enhancing service delivery across the country.
“The postings are in line with the Force’s commitment to an effective command structure and the strategic deployment of personnel,” the statement said.
At the level of Assistant Inspectors-General, several senior officers were assigned to key departments at the Force Headquarters in Abuja and across different police zones.
Among the new postings, AIG Ado Emmanuel was deployed to the Department of Research and Planning, while AIG Joseph Eribo was assigned to the Department of Armament.
Former FCT Commissioner of Police, AIG Miller Dantawaye, was posted to the Department of Operations, while AIG Henry Ifeanyi Uche will now oversee Training and Development.
Other postings include AIG Olanrewaju Peter Ogunlowo to the Police Affairs Branch and AIG Dahiru Mohammed to Zone 15 in Maiduguri, a region that continues to face security challenges linked to insurgency.
AIG Dankombo F. Morris was deployed to Zone 4 in Makurdi, while AIG Bello Shehu will oversee Zone 14 in Katsina.
Further appointments saw AIG Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba assigned to Legal Services, AIG Ahmed Musa to Community Policing, and AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh to Zone 2 in Lagos.
AIG Simeon U. Akpanudom was posted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Lagos, while AIG Haruna Olufemi will head the Special Protection Unit at the Force Headquarters.
At the level of Commissioners of Police, several officers were deployed to head state commands across the country.
CP Haruna Alaba Yahaya was posted to Jigawa State, while CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola will now lead the police in Oyo State.
CP Olubode Ojajuni was assigned to Ogun State, and CP Michael Adegoroye Falade to Ekiti State.
In the North-East, CP Yakubu Useni Dankaro was posted to Adamawa State, while CP Morkwap S. Dongshal will oversee Taraba State.
Other postings include CP Ahmed Mohammed Bello to Zamfara, CP Umar Ali Fagge to Katsina, and CP Hayatu Shaffa Hassan to Sokoto State.
In the Federal Capital Territory, Ahmed Sanusi was confirmed as the new Commissioner of Police, taking over responsibility for security in Abuja.
Similarly, CP Olatunji Olaiwola Fatai was deployed to Lagos State Command, one of the busiest and most complex policing environments in the country.
Beyond state commands, several Commissioners of Police were assigned to specialised units and departments within the force.
CP Akan Ezima was appointed Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja, reflecting the growing importance of tackling cybercrime in Nigeria.
CP Abbas Sule was posted to the Special Protection Unit, while CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue was deployed to INTERPOL in Abuja.
CP Mnwadiogbu Cletus was named Deputy Commandant of the Police Academy (POLAC), while CP Danjuma I. Yahaya and CP Sheik M. Danko were assigned to FCID Annex offices in Kaduna and Lagos, respectively.
Other postings include CP Moses Ashu Otta to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit in Abuja, and CP Abdulrahim A. Shuaibu to the Eastern Ports Authority.
CP Sarah Ehindero was posted to Administration at FCID Abuja, while CP Edwin Ogbegbghagha will serve as Provost at the Force Headquarters.
Further assignments saw CP Preye R. Egbe posted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Abuja, while CP Adebisi Bola Lateef was deployed to the Master Printing unit in Lagos.
Additional postings include CP Bolou O. Etete to Community Policing (Research and Planning), CP Ojugbele E. Adebola to General Investigation at FCID Alagbon in Lagos, and CP Fidelis N. Ogarabe to INTERPOL Annex in Lagos.
CP Theodore C. Obasi was named Deputy Commandant of the Police College in Ikeja, while CP Eloho E. Okpoziakpo was assigned to the Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi.
Other officers include CP Kayode Uthman Magaji to the K9 unit in Dei-Dei, Abuja, CP Markus Ishaku Basiran to Courses at POLAC, and CP Mohammed Babakura to Administration in the Department of Operations.
CP Silas Bamidele Aremu will now head Safer Highway operations, while CP Magaji Ismaila was posted to Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
In a less common role, CP Rebecca Uchenna Okereke was appointed Director of Music at the Force Headquarters.
Police authorities say the reshuffle is part of a broader effort to improve the performance of the Nigeria Police Force.
In recent years, the force has faced increasing pressure to respond to rising security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, and cybercrime.
By redeploying senior officers, the police leadership hopes to bring fresh ideas, strengthen command structures, and ensure better coordination across different units.
Nigeria continues to face a range of security issues across different regions.
In the North-West and North-Central, banditry and kidnapping remain major concerns. In the North-East, insurgency continues to affect communities despite ongoing military operations.
Urban centres like Lagos and Abuja face challenges such as armed robbery, traffic-related crimes, and cyber offences.
The police are often at the forefront of responding to these threats, working alongside other security agencies.
The success of these efforts depends largely on effective leadership, adequate resources, and cooperation from the public.
In his directive, the Inspector-General of Police urged the newly deployed officers to carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity.
He charged them to use their experience to improve policing in their new roles and to maintain discipline in the discharge of their responsibilities.
“The IGP charged the officers to bring their wealth of experience to bear in their new roles and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and service,” the statement added.
For many Nigerians, the latest police reshuffle raises hopes for improved security and better policing.
Citizens often expect new commanders to bring energy and fresh strategies to tackle crime in their areas.
However, there are also concerns about long-standing issues such as police misconduct, slow response times, and lack of trust between the police and the public.
As the newly posted officers settle into their roles, attention will focus on how quickly they can make an impact.
The coming months will test their ability to address security challenges and improve public confidence in the police.
For now, the Nigeria Police Force says the redeployment is a step in the right direction, aimed at building a more effective and responsive organisation.