The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dismissed allegations of bias and irregularities in the Nigeria Police Force’s recent promotion exercises, insisting that every elevation under his administration has been guided strictly by merit, transparency, and established procedures.

Speaking during the decoration of newly promoted senior officers at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the IG said attempts by  mischief-makers to cast aspersions on the integrity of the process were unfounded and aimed at undermining public confidence in the Force.

He said, “Recent months have witnessed attempts by certain mischief-makers to cast shadows on the credibility of our promotion process, particularly the accelerated promotion exercise conducted a few months ago.

But truth stands taller than rumours. The Nigeria Police Force has nothing to hide and nothing to defend.

“Every promotion exercise conducted under this administration, including the accelerated promotion exercise, has followed the due process, transparent, merit-based, and in strict conformity with established standards. There is no promotion standard in the Nigeria Police Force. What we have is a system that rewards diligence, professionalism, and proven.”

He emphasised that the Force operates a system that rewards diligence, professionalism, and proven capacity, rather than favouritism, nepotism, or tribal sentiment.

“There is no place for favouritism or tribal sentiment in the Nigeria Police Force. Our promotions are guided solely by competence, performance, and discipline. This remains the cornerstone of our career management philosophy, for it motivates excellence, strengthens morale, and renews public trust in the Force,” he added.

Egbetokun, who decorated newly elevated Deputy Inspectors-General, Assistant Inspectors-General, and Commissioners of Police, described the ceremony as a reaffirmation of integrity, excellence, and distinguished service within the institution.

He congratulated the officers on their elevation, describing it as a recognition of their consistency, discipline, and patriotism, while reminding them that higher rank comes with greater responsibility.

“Every insignia worn at this level must represent not privilege, but purpose — a reminder that authority is meaningful only when it uplifts the institution and strengthens public trust,” he said.

The IG charged the senior officers to embrace community and intelligence-led policing strategies to tackle the evolving nature of crime driven by technology and global trends.

“The Nigerian people expect a Force that is smarter, more responsive, and deeply connected to communities. I urge you to harness technology, empower your personnel, and drive innovations that keep our operations ahead of criminal enterprises,” he said.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for his continued support towards reforming and strengthening the Police Force, as well as the Police Service Commission for maintaining transparency and collaboration in managing police promotions.

On October 17, the Police Service Commission approved the promotion of CP Abibo Reuben from the rank of commissioner to the next rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police.

Also, 11 Deputy Commissioners of Police were elevated to the next rank of substantive commissioners among others.

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The Senate will today (Wednesday) screen and possibly confirm the newly appointed service chiefs nominated by President Bola Tinubu, as part of ongoing efforts to revamp the nation’s security architecture.

Tinubu, in a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, urged lawmakers to give “expeditious consideration” to the nominees.

The President named Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. Waidi Shaibu as the Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke as the Chief of Air Staff; and Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Akpabio referred the President’s request to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation, scheduled to hold today.

The development comes barely 48 hours after Tinubu held a closed-door meeting with the new service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja — his first formal engagement with the military hierarchy since last Friday’s sweeping reshuffle.

The Presidency had described the shake-up as part of efforts to “strengthen the national security architecture.”

Tinubu also expressed appreciation to the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other retired officers for their “patriotic service and dedicated leadership.”

He charged the new appointees to justify the confidence reposed in them by upholding professionalism, vigilance, and unity within the Armed Forces.

The administration believes the new appointments, once confirmed, will enhance inter-agency coordination and strengthen the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other security threats nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday, received the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff and the three service chiefs during a courtesy visit to his office at the Ministry of Defence, Ship House, Abuja.

The meeting, according to a statement on Tuesday, marked the first official visit of the new military chiefs to the minister following their appointments.

The shake-up in the military hierarchy came in the wake of rumours of an alleged failed coup, which a report by Sahara Reporters linked to the detention of 16 senior military officers and the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day parade on October 1.

Although the Defence Headquarters dismissed the reports as false and malicious, public speculation has persisted, particularly in light of the sudden leadership changes.

Meanwhile, the opposition African Democratic Congress has called for greater transparency from the Federal Government regarding the alleged coup attempt and the circumstances surrounding the recent military reshuffle.

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The Federal Government has approved an upward review of housing loan ceilings for civil servants, with permanent secretaries now eligible to access up to N25m.

According to a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation obtained by The PUNCH, officers on Grade Level 8 can now access a maximum of N8m.

The memo, signed by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, said the move is part of efforts to improve the welfare and well-being of federal workers.

Addressed to the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; ministers; permanent secretaries; service chiefs; and chairmen of federal commissions, the memo urged interested civil servants to comply with all procedural requirements.

“In line with the Federal Government’s commitment to enhance the welfare and well-being of its workforce, the ceiling for housing loans provided under the Federal Government Staff Housing Loans Board has been reviewed upwards,” the memo stated.

“This review is intended to enable eligible and interested civil servants to better leverage the loan facility to acquire personal residential homes in alignment with the government’s housing policy.”

Under the new structure, permanent secretaries can access a maximum of N25m, Level 17 officers can obtain N14m, while those on Levels 15 and 16 can get up to N12m.

Officers on Levels 12 to 14 are entitled to N10m, those on Levels 8 to 10 can access N8m, Levels 5 to 7 can get N6m, and Levels 3 to 4 can receive N5m.

Before the review, the maximum loan accessible to the highest-ranking civil servant was N15m.

The memo further explained that loans are to be repaid over a period of up to 25 years, depending on the applicant’s age.

Retirees who exit service before full repayment must make alternative arrangements to settle outstanding balances from non-salary sources as directed by the government.

It added that if a borrower dies before completing repayment, the board may take possession of the mortgaged property unless the deceased’s representatives make satisfactory repayment arrangements.

Reacting to the development, a former National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria and ex-officio member of the union, Tommy Etim, described the review as a long-overdue step.

He said, “We met with former President Muhammadu Buhari a few years ago on the need to raise the loan ceiling so it could be more meaningful and accessible to all civil servants. Before now, the amount was so low that even some senior officers could only access about N5m.

“What you can access now is based on your annual income. The ceiling for each level is calculated according to each cadre’s income, so it’s relatively fair.”

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