Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the reintegration of 475 officers whose compulsory retirement was overturned by the National Industrial Court, directing them to undergo a six-month induction programme at the Police Staff College in Jos, Plateau State.
The affected officers, ranging from the rank of Superintendent of Police to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, were previously retired under the controversial merger of service policy but have now been recalled following the implementation of a court judgment.
A confidential directive dated July 31, 2026, and signed by the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Bode Akinbamilowo, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, conveyed the decision to police authorities across the country.
The communication was sent to Assistant Inspectors-General in the 17 police zones, Commissioners of Police in all states and the Commandant of the Police Staff College, Jos.
According to the directive, the Police Service Commission approved the regularisation of the officers’ dates of first appointment during its plenary meeting on June 25, 2026, after the court nullified their retirement.
The officers were initially retired following a resolution reached by the commission at its First Extraordinary Meeting held on January 31, 2025. However, the decision was reversed in compliance with the judgment delivered in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025.
Police authorities directed zonal commands and state commissioners to ensure that all affected officers are notified and report for the mandatory training programme.
The Force Secretary further instructed commands to “locate and warn” the officers to report for the induction course.
Among the senior officers affected by the recall are AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Benneth Chinedu Igwe, AIG Uche Ifeanyi Henry and Deputy Commissioner of Police Simon Asamber Lough.
The induction exercise has been divided into two phases. Documentation and arrival are scheduled between August 1 and August 16, 2026, while the training programme will run from August 17, 2026, to February 16, 2027.
The Inspector-General also directed the Commandant of the Police Staff College to submit the list of documented participants on or before August 24, 2026, stressing that “lateness will not be tolerated.”
Official records indicate that the recalled officers were recruited and promoted through various police courses conducted between 1992 and 2012, with revised retirement timelines now reflecting their court-ordered reinstatement.
