EXCLUSIVE: 467 Nigerian Police Officers Ordered to Retire Over Age Falsification Scandal
In a shocking revelation, SaharaReporters has uncovered a list of 467 Nigerian police officers who have been implicated in a widespread scandal involving age falsification, forgery, and the deliberate bypassing of service regulations. This development comes as part of an ongoing investigation into systemic corruption within the Nigeria Police Force, raising serious concerns about the integrity of its personnel and recruitment processes.
Among the officers named in the scandal are high-ranking officials, including Simon Lough, SAN, and Benneth Igweh, alongside hundreds of others who allegedly manipulated their ages to extend their service years illegally. The list, obtained exclusively by SaharaReporters, details officers from various cadres and training courses, including:
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 36/2002: 15 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 35/2000: 33 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 34/1996: 12 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspectors Course 4/1994 (now Course 33): 24 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 21/2002: 14 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 20/2000: 48 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 19/1996: 34 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 18/1994: 11 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 25/2012: 1 officer
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 31/1990: 15 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 1/1988: 7 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 26/2012: 5 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 37/2005: 8 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 39/2009: 2 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Course 1/2010: 5 officers
Force Entrants Cadet Inspector Course 3/1992: 14 officers
Force Entrants Cadet ASP Promotion Course 1/2003 (PSC Jos): 209 officers
Final List: 10 officers
This extensive list underscores the depth of the rot within the system, with officers from various ranks and training cohorts implicated in the scandal. SaharaReporters had previously reported on the widespread forgery and age falsification within the police force, but the sheer scale of this latest revelation has sent shockwaves through the nation.
A Culture of Impunity?
The scandal raises critical questions about the oversight mechanisms within the Nigeria Police Force. How were hundreds of officers able to falsify their ages and service records without detection for years? Sources within the force suggest that the practice of age falsification has been rampant for decades, with many officers exploiting weak regulatory frameworks to extend their careers and secure undeserved benefits.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that some implicated officers have already quietly retired, avoiding public scrutiny and potential disciplinary action. This has fueled concerns that the scandal may be even more extensive than currently reported, with many more officers potentially involved in similar misconduct.
Calls for Accountability
Civil society organizations and transparency advocates have called for a thorough investigation into the matter, urging the police leadership to ensure that all implicated officers face appropriate consequences. “This is not just about age falsification; it is about the integrity of the entire police force,” said a spokesperson for a leading anti-corruption group. “The public must be assured that those entrusted with upholding the law are not themselves breaking it.”
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but sources indicate that the affected officers have been ordered to retire immediately. However, critics argue that retirement alone is not enough, calling for criminal prosecution and the recovery of any ill-gotten benefits.
A Broader Crisis
This scandal is the latest in a series of controversies plaguing the Nigeria Police Force, which has long been criticized for corruption, inefficiency, and human rights abuses. The age falsification scandal further erodes public trust in the institution, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to restore accountability and professionalism.
As the nation grapples with this latest revelation, one thing is clear: the Nigeria Police Force must confront its systemic issues head-on or risk further losing the confidence of the citizens it is sworn to protect.
Reference
EXCLUSIVE: 467 Nigerian Police Officers Ordered to Retire Over Age Falsification Scandal