The recent promotion of two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to Acting Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) has been described by top police sources as controversial.
According to insiders, CSP Adamu Shaba Gboyako and London Irikefe were not yet due for elevation to Acting ACPs when the promotions were granted.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) recently approved the advancement of the officers. An official wireless message from Force Headquarters in Abuja, dated February 26, 2026, indicated that the promotions were based on recommendations from the Inspector-General of Police and took effect from February 25, 2026.
Adamu Shaba Gboyako (AP/No. 140328), who serves as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, was promoted from CSP to Acting ACP. Similarly, Irikefe London (AP/No. 107044) was elevated from CSP to Acting ACP.
The PSC conveyed its congratulations to the officers and noted that their names would be published in the official gazette and force orders in due course.
The announcement was circulated to all police formations nationwide, including zonal commands, state commands, and specialized units, to ensure immediate recognition of the new ranks.
However, sources allege that Shaba’s promotion involved a financial transaction amounting to several million naira, raising concerns over the propriety of the process.
“This is another scandalous, corruption-driven promotion by the Police Service Commission of two officers who were not due for promotion. The first is the notorious CSO to Imo State governor, Uzodimma,” one of the sources said.
“Shaba reportedly paid up to N10 million to get this special promotion.”
“CSP Shaba is the powerful police officer behind the notorious Tiger Base police unit in Imo State, helping to shield criminality there,” a source said.
Tiger Base, the nickname for the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command in Owerri, has long been accused of torture, unlawful detentions, and extrajudicial killings. Human rights groups and families of victims have repeatedly called for independent investigations into its operations.
In December 2025, public outcry followed the death of businessman Levi Opara while in Tiger Base custody under suspicious circumstances, prompting demands for a probe.
In January 2026, SaharaReporters revealed that staff attached to the unit had raised alarms over alleged threats to their lives and an ongoing dismissal plot, reportedly orchestrated by the unit’s commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.
One staff member alleged enduring sustained intimidation, humiliation, and professional victimisation at the hands of ACP Odeyeyiwa.
Similarly, on Saturday, SaharaReporters exclusively reported that fresh allegations of corruption had emerged within the Nigeria Police promotion system.
SaharaReporters reported that several senior officers allegedly paid about ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of ACP under former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters, including an internal police wireless message from Force Headquarters, Abuja, dated February 23, 2026, confirm the promotions.
The directive, referenced SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40, stated: “Promotion Senior Officers x CSP to ACP x Ref Polscom Letnos. PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 31/07/2025 and PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 05/08/2025 x Ingenpol has graciously approved the release of promotion of the under-listed CSPs to substantive rank of ACP x with effect from date indicated against their names.”
The message, circulated to multiple police departments and commands nationwide, instructed authorities to formally acknowledge the promotions.
The document listed eight officers elevated from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP: Ibrahim Tijani Umaira, Mohammed Amini, Usman Abdul Dimka, Iwok Ndifere, Mohammed I. Musa, Jimoh Shittu, Muhammad S. Ibrahim, and Promise Wosu. According to the document, the promotions took effect between July 28 and August 5, 2025.
However, insider sources within the police hierarchy told SaharaReporters that the promotions were not strictly merit-based but were influenced by payments made to officials within the Police Service Commission, raising further concerns about transparency and fairness in the promotion system.
“The Police Service Commission secretly released this promotion under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” a senior officer familiar with the matter said.
According to the source, the officers allegedly paid ₦5 million each to secure the ACP rank.
“These are new special promotions secretly done under Egbetokun. There are allegations that these men paid ₦5 million to get ACP rank while their course mates are left unpromoted,” the top source added.
“This has created serious tension within the force because many officers who are qualified were ignored while others suddenly jumped ranks,” another insider said.
Meanwhile, the PSC has denied claims that senior police officers paid ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), describing the allegations as false and defamatory.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Torty Njoku Kalu, Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, said the commission noted the publication “with grave concern” and categorically rejected the allegations in their entirety.
“The Police Service Commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.
According to the PSC, the promotions followed due process and were carried out in line with established guidelines governing the commission’s activities.
