The Nigeria Police Force has received accusations claiming that the current Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, was sacked by a federal high court over retirement age, stating the news is false. The force says the alleged judgment against Alkali-Baba is not real and he shall remain in office as IG for his four-year tenure. The claims were initially circulated via social media, and the police have advised residents to disregard the news.

CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police force’s Public Relations Officer, signed the press statement, reaffirming that the four-year period for individuals appointed as IG is being institutionalised by the provisions of the law to improve the Nigeria Police Force’s efficiency, rather than on personal grounds in favour of a particular individual.

Adejobi also remarked that a federal high court in Abuja had dismissed a suit compelling Alkali-Baba to leave his office on March 1, 2023, following the provisions of Section 7 (6) of the Police Act 2020, which highlighted a convulsive 4-year tenure for any Inspector General of Police in Nigeria. The Court also held that retirement from the office had nothing to do with age or years of service.

Alkali-Baba’s appointment was officially announced on November 30, 2021, via a letter numbered SGF.20/S.6/83, and he is duty-bound to execute his responsibilities while adhering to the law.

Legal experts in Nigeria also affirmed that the four-year tenure for an Inspector General of Police was required by the country’s law, emphasising that the allegations were not based on sound legal practices. The reports were met with wide scepticism by Nigerians on social media, with many disregarding the allegations due to the rising trend of fake news in society.

It is expected that Alkali-Baba will continue serving in the capacity of Inspector General of Police and improve policing services in the country while upholding professionalism and community-oriented policing.