The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has made a significant move by recalling 475 officers, including its very first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), DCP Simon Asamber Lough. This decision comes in light of a ruling from the National Industrial Court that overturned their compulsory retirement linked to the contentious “merger of service” policy.
According to findings by TNT, these officers have been instructed to report to the Police Staff College in Jos for a mandatory six-month induction course, which is part of the process to reinstate them into service.
This directive was outlined in a confidential letter dated July 31, 2026, and signed by the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Bode Akinbamilowo, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police. The letter was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police across the 17 police zones, Commissioners of Police in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as the Commandant of the Police Staff College in Jos.
The letter states that during its plenary meeting on June 25, 2026, the Police Service Commission (PSC) approved the regularization of the affected officers’ original appointment dates, in line with the court’s judgment in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025. This ruling annulled the retirements that followed the PSC’s 1st Extraordinary Meeting on January 31, 2025, which had endorsed the merger of service policy.
The Inspector-General has instructed all zonal commands and state police commissioners to promptly locate the affected officers and ensure they report to the Police Staff College in Jos for documentation and participation in the induction program.
Recent findings reveal that the officers, who joined the force between 1992 and 2012, hold ranks ranging from Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) to Superintendent of Police (SP). Notable senior officers on the list include AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Benneth Chinedu Igwe, AIG Uche Ifeanyi Henry, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Simon Asamber Lough.
Also featured is AIG Joseph O. Eribo, who is celebrated as the first police officer to achieve the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Other officers recalled include Commissioner of Police Fidelis Ndubuisi Ogarabe, DCP Akinbayo Olasukami Olasoji, DCP Louis Chike Nwabuwa, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Sanusi Amiru, CSP Grace Idowu Agboola, CSP Oluwadare Ezekiel Ayeni, CSP Angela Agabe, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Benjamin Okehielam Okwara, CSP Rita A.A. Inoma-Abbey, PhD, SP Olasukanmi Lateef Olujide, and SP Kayode Ayo Aborishade.
The official document outlines updated records for each officer, detailing their dates of birth, enlistment, appointments, and retirement timelines, both by age and by appointment. Many of these officers are nearing their mandatory retirement age, even with the court-ordered reinstatement.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that the induction program will take place in two phases. The documentation and arrival period is set for August 1 to August 16, 2026, while the six-month induction course will run from August 17, 2026, to February 16, 2027.
The Inspector-General has also instructed the Commandant of the Police Staff College to provide a complete list of all documented participants by August 24, 2026, emphasizing that any delays will not be tolerated.
Copies of the directive were sent out to the Inspector-General’s Secretariat and the Deputy Inspectors-General overseeing various departments, including Finance and Administration, Operations, Logistics and Supply, Investigation, Training and Development, Research and Planning, Information and Communication Technology, and Intelligence. Additionally, the Assistant Inspector-General responsible for Police Accounts and Budget received a copy, all with the clear instruction to make sure the induction exercise goes off without a hitch.
