Frank Mba, Senior DIGs to Exit Police Service After Disu’s Appointment

Tunji Disu

Frank Mba, Senior DIGs to Exit Police Service After Disu’s Appointment

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun, a move that is expected to trigger the retirement of several senior Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), including Frank Mba.

Egbetokun tendered his resignation on Tuesday, citing urgent family matters. Although he was appointed in June 2023 for a four-year tenure expected to run until June 2027 under the amended Police Act, the presidency confirmed that President Tinubu accepted the resignation and commended him for his service to the nation. The confirmation was contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Before his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, one of the most strategic investigative units of the Nigeria Police Force.

Why Senior DIGs Are Expected to Retire

While not expressly mandated by law, it is a long-standing convention within the Nigeria Police Force that officers senior to a newly appointed IGP retire from service. The practice is rooted in the force’s strong emphasis on seniority, hierarchy, discipline and institutional stability, ensuring that no senior officer remains subordinate to a junior appointee.

DIGs Likely to Be Affected

Frank Mba
Frank Mba is one of the most recognisable senior officers in the Nigeria Police Force. He joined the force as an Inspector, rose steadily through the ranks and was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police in March 2023. Over his career, he served as Force Public Relations Officer three times and represented Nigeria on the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) between 2006 and 2007, earning a UN Medal. His seniority places him among those expected to retire following Disu’s appointment.

Mohammed Gumel
Mohammed Gumel assumed office in late December 2025 as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Widely regarded as a strong advocate of community policing, Gumel was named Community Policing Advocate of the Year (2024). He is a certified member of the Police Staff College (PSC) and a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (FIPMA).

Adebola Hamzat
DIG Adebola Hamzat currently heads the Department of Logistics and Supply, overseeing procurement, infrastructure, housing, construction and logistics across the police force. He was promoted to DIG in March 2025. Before then, he served as AIG, Zone 16 (Yenagoa) covering Bayelsa and Rivers States, and previously commanded the Counter-Terrorism Unit. He also served as Commissioner of Police in Oyo State.

Yahaya Abubakar
Yahaya Abubakar is a senior DIG who formerly headed the Department of Finance and Administration at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The department controls budgeting, financial management, human resources and administrative processes. He was appointed following his promotion by the Police Service Commission in 2024 and has previously served as Zone Commander and AIG.

Bzigu Kwazhi
As DIG in charge of the Department of Operations, Bzigu Kwazhi plays a critical role in tactical deployments, joint security operations, election security and crisis response nationwide. He has been involved in high-level security operations in states such as Adamawa and Plateau, and previously served as Commissioner of Police in Osun and Akwa Ibom States.

Adebowale Williams
Adebowale Williams is the DIG overseeing the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Force Headquarters. He is responsible for digital policing systems, communications infrastructure and technology-driven reforms, a key pillar of ongoing police modernisation efforts.

Idris Abubakar
DIG Idris Abubakar, from Garko Local Government Area of Kano State, joined the police as a cadet ASP in 1992. He holds advanced academic qualifications, including a PhD in Psychology from the University of Abuja, alongside degrees from Usmanu Danfodiyo University. His background combines policing with academic expertise in education and psychology.

Basil Idegwu
Promoted in March 2025, DIG Basil Idegwu heads the Department of Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters. He holds a PhD in Security and Peace Studies and is responsible for policy development, strategic planning and institutional reforms aimed at improving the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.

Implications of the Appointment

The expected retirements will mark a major leadership transition within the Nigeria Police Force, opening space for new promotions and restructuring at the top echelon. Security analysts say the development places significant responsibility on Acting IGP Disu to stabilise leadership, sustain operational momentum and address Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and violent crime.