Nigerian Government Disrupts Paramilitary Career Progression

The Nigerian government has been accused of undermining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), and Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) by disrupting career progression. Under former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu, numerous deputy inspectors general of Police and deputy comptroller-generals of Immigration and Customs were compulsorily retired before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of service.

This has led to stagnation for many competent officers due to political interference, favoritism, and nepotism. The tenures of key leaders, including Bashir Adewale Adeniyi (Comptroller-General of NCS), Kemi Nanna Nandap (Comptroller-General of NIS), and Kayode Egbetokun (Inspector General of Police), have been extended, preventing eligible deputies from advancing.

The alteration of retirement rules has resulted in senior officers leaving without reaching the peak of their careers, which undermines morale and creates frustration among officers who see limited advancement opportunities.