Why DIG Moses Jitiboh, Three Others, Were Retired By PSC; Mixed Feelings Over Jitiboh

By Ayodele Oni

One of the most brilliant Police Officers from the South-South, Moses Jitiboh, has been compulsorily retired by the Police Service Commission.

Jitiboh, a Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG, was shown the way out, along with three others,  by the Police Service Commission, PSC. The other DIGs retired with him are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinja Bode.

According to a statement issued Monday, August 28th, 2023, by PSC’s Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, their compulsory retirement followed the appointment, in June, 2023, of Kayode Egbetokun, their junior in the Police, by President Bola Tinubu, as the Inspector General of Police, IGP

Having waited for them, in vain, to retire voluntarily, following Egbetokun’s appointment, Ani said in the statement, the PSC decided to retire them in order “to uphold discipline, and discourage status reversal.”

Jitiboh’s retirement, particularly, has generated mixed feelings because  both age and years in service were on his side. He was born in 1970, meaning that he is now 53 years old, clear seven years away from the statutory retirement age of 60 years. He joined the NPF in 1994, meaning he has served for 29 years, and, clearly, six years away from the statutory 35 years service years.

A retired very senior Police Officer described Jitiboh’s retirement and those of same fate with him over the years “as a waste which can only happen in  an unorganized society”

Two times, many had expected the appointment of Jitiboh as the IGP, but it didn’t happen.

The new DIGs appointed to replace the four retired ones are Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji and Usman Nagogo.

Ani’s statement on the retired and new appointees reads:

“The Police Service Commission in exercise of its statutory powers, pursuant to the Third Schedule, Part 1 M, para A&B of the 1999 Constitution, reinforced with Section 6 of the Commissions (Establisment) Act 2001, para a, c, d, e, &f, has compulsorily retired four Deputy Inspectors General of Police.

“The affected DIGs are Dan-Mallam Mohammed, Moses Ambakina Jitiboh, Hafiz Mohammed Inuwa and Adeleke Adeyinka Bode.

In the wake of the appointment of the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 19th of June, 2023 by Mr. President, the Commission had expected in consonance with the revered tradition of discipline and regimented culture of the Nigeria Police Force that those DIGS who were seniors in rank prior to his elevation will voluntarily apply for retirement or elect to leave the Force.

“The Commission, having waited for ample time with no such application from any of them, took the decision to compulsorily retire them in order to uphold discipline which is the bedrock of the Force, and to discourage status reversal which is inherently inimical to the exercise of authority by the Inspector General.

“Accordingly the former DIGs have been mandated to Immediately proceed on compulsory retirement with effect from Friday, 25th August, 2023.The Commission appreciates their immense contributions and efforts towards peace and security of our country and also wishes them well in their future endeavours in retirement.

“Similarly, the Commission also approved the appointment of four Assistant Inspectors General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police which would be subject to ratification by the Board of the Commission to replace the retired DIGs.

“The newly appointed DIGs who are without Pending Disciplinary Matters and/or without any serious medical conditions and health impairments were drawn from the same respective geo-political regions of the retired ones.

“They are DIG’s Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje; Daniel Sokari – Pedro, Ayuba Ekpeji, and Usman Nagogo.

“While congratulating them for their elevation to the enviable rank of DIGs, the Commission hopes that their appointment will add value and greater vigour to the efforts of the Nigeria Police in delivering on its mandate.”

Jitiboh was the ADC to former President Goodluck Jonathan when Jonathan was the Governor of Bayelsa, and was held same position when the former President was Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’adua.

When Jonathan became the President, he was appointed his Chief Personal Body Guard.