BREAKING: IGP orders probe of INTERPOL chief, 3 AIGs, 2 other senior officers

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has mandated an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the Head of INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB), AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Abdul Yari, and five other senior police officers accused of unethical practices involving the alteration of their service records.

This directive is outlined in a memorandum addressed to the head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, dated January 13, 2025, and signed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Force Secretary, AIG Olofu Rhoda.

According to a report by SaharaReporters on Saturday, the officers under scrutiny include AIG Abdul Yari, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, CP Peter Ukachi Opara, CP Obo Obo Ukani, DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN), and ACP Akpan Brown.

They are alleged to have engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their service records.

The investigation was prompted by a letter dated January 6, 2025, from the civic organization Integrity Youth Alliance, Abuja.

The memo noted, “The Inspector-General of Police directs you to investigate and furnish findings not later than Monday 20th January, 2025, please.”

The memo further read, “It is pertinent to note that “Force Entrant” is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force where deserving officers with requisite educational records are upgraded to a higher cadre after a brief training period at the Police Academy or at any approved Police College, and as such, it is not a fresh appointment.

“Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart.

“Therefore, according to the Public Service Rules (7 Rule 020810 of Chapter two), the under-listed, having served in the public service and received salaries as required by law, cannot remain in service beyond the legally permitted period.

“Regarding our letter dated 30th December 2024, below are some of the names of police personnel who engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their history records: AIG Abdui Yari, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, CP Peter Ukachi Opara, CP Obo Obo Ukani, DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN) and ACP Akpan Brown.”

Earlier this week, it was reported that AIG Shuaya’u Lafia Abdulyari, from Nigeria’s North-Central region, was accused of altering his retirement records to extend his tenure in office.

(SAHARAREPORTERS)