The Nigeria Police Force has commenced the reintegration of 475 officers compulsorily retired in January 2025 after the National Industrial Court nullified the action of the Police Service Commission.
The officers, who range in rank from Superintendent of Police to Assistant Inspector-General of Police, include AIGs Idowu Owohunwa, Benneth Chinedu Igwe and Uche Ifeanyi Henry.
They are to undergo a six-month induction programme at the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State, before redeployment.
A confidential directive dated July 31, 2026, signed by the Force Secretary, AIG Bode Akinbamilowo, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, was circulated to Assistant Inspectors-General in the 17 police zones, Commissioners of Police in all state commands and the Commandant of the Police Staff College.
The directive said the Police Service Commission, at its plenary meeting on June 25, 2026, approved the regularization of the affected officers’ dates of first appointment in compliance with the judgment delivered by the National Industrial Court in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/28/2025. The court had set aside the commission’s decision reached at its First Extraordinary Meeting on January 31, 2025, which ordered the compulsory retirement of the officers under the controversial merger-of-service policy.
The Force Secretary directed all zonal commands and state commissioners to immediately notify the affected officers and ensure they report for the mandatory induction. Commands were also instructed to “locate and warn” the officers to report without delay.
According to the directive, documentation and arrival of participants will take place between August 1 and August 16, 2026, while the six-month training will run from August 17, 2026, to February 16, 2027. The Inspector-General directed the Commandant of the Police Staff College to submit the list of documented participants on or before August 24, 2026, warning that late reporting would not be tolerated.
Official records indicate that the recalled officers were recruited and promoted through various police courses conducted between 1992 and 2012.
Their retirement dates have now been revised in line with the court judgment, paving the way for their full reintegration into the Nigeria Police Force.