Police Shake-Up: IGP Disu Redeploys 10 AIGs in Major Leadership Reshuffle Across Eight States

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has approved the immediate redeployment of 10 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to strategic commands, departments, and formations across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory, in a major shake-up aimed at strengthening operational efficiency and reinforcing the Force’s command structure.

The directive was contained in a police wireless signal issued by the Force Secretariat, Abuja, on Monday, July 27, 2026, and marked “Most Immediate”. The message, referenced TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.7/X Posting Senior Officers, was circulated to all major police departments, zonal commands, state commands, specialised formations, and training institutions for immediate implementation.

The development comes barely a week after Disu decorated 13 new AIGs at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, charging them to uphold professionalism across their various formations. The Police Service Commission (PSC) had earlier approved the promotion of 13 Commissioners of Police to the rank of AIG, alongside 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police promoted to CP and 63 other senior officers advanced to higher ranks. Among the newly decorated AIGs are Obono Nnaghe Itam, Bassey Samuel Ewah, Osagie John Agans-Irabor, Monday Agbonika, Iyamah Daniel Edobor, Isah Danladi Nda, Akaninyene Ifebem Ezima, Livingstein Ikioye Orutugu, Bello Rashid Afegbua, and Betty Enekpen Otimenyin.

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Under the new postings, AIG Polycarp Emeka Nwonyi was posted to Zone 9 Command in Umuahia, while AIG Obono Nnaghe Itam was redeployed as Commandant of the Police Staff College in Jos. AIG Bassey Samuel Ewa was posted to Zone 15 Command in Maiduguri, and AIG Osagie John Agans-Irabor was deployed to Zone 3 Command in Yola. AIG Monday Agbonika was posted to Zone 5 Command in Benin, while AIG Daniel Edobor Iyamah was redeployed to the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja. AIG Isah Danladi Nda was posted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Kaduna, and AIG Akaniyene Ifebem Ezima was redeployed to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja. AIG Bello Rashid Afegbua was posted to Zone 6 Command in Calabar, while AIG Betty Enekpen Otimenyin was deployed to Zone 8 Command in Lokoja. The postings take immediate effect, and the Force Headquarters has directed departments responsible for personnel records, establishment, and computer documentation to update their records to reflect the new postings.

Speaking to The Whistler, a source familiar with the development said more shake-ups could be expected within the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the IGP has pledged not to tolerate abuse of positions or power. “The IG has reiterated his commitment to reforming the Nigerian Police Force. Going forward, more shake-ups will be seen. Officers will no longer be comfortable in positions. This will encourage administrative growth and positive policing across the Nigerian Police Force at all levels,” the source said. The source further noted that before the current administration, some AIGs and DIGs had remained in charge of certain formations for extended periods, and the IGP’s reform efforts would address this to encourage administrative growth. Although the source did not attribute the prolonged stay of officers in such positions to corruption or abuse of office, it was noted that the confidence that could come with overstaying in a particular position could undermine operational effectiveness.

In a remarkable milestone for Cross River State, three of its sons were simultaneously elevated to the prestigious rank of AIG, marking the first time in the history of the Nigeria Police Force that three officers from the same state attained the rank at the same time. The three officers are AIG Akaninyene Ezima from Biase Local Government Area, AIG Nnaghe Itam from Yakurr Local Government Area, and AIG Bassey Ewah from Etung Local Government Area. A reception organised in their honour at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Abuja attracted prominent Cross River leaders, including Senator Eteng Jones Williams and other public officials. Former Commissioner of Police, Barr. Lawrence Alobi, who served as Chairman of the occasion, commended the officers for their years of dedicated and selfless service to the nation, describing the simultaneous elevation as unprecedented.

Police Shake-Up: IGP Disu Redeploys 10 AIGs in Major Leadership Reshuffle Across Eight States

Over 40 Bandits, 8 Commanders Killed as Security Forces Repel Katsina Attack

A combined team of local hunters, the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), and troops of the Nigerian Army’s 17 Brigade successfully repelled a large-scale bandit attack on Guga Village in Bakori Local Government Area, Katsina State, killing more than 40 suspected bandits, including eight senior commanders, in a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours.

The attack occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, when more than 200 heavily armed bandits stormed the community in what security officials described as a coordinated reprisal assault. The attackers were reportedly led by notorious bandit kingpin Idi Abasu Aiki and reinforced by fighters linked to the Ado Aleru criminal network operating from neighbouring Zamfara State.

According to security reports, intelligence gathered before the assault indicated that the gunmen had planned to overwhelm local hunters and KSCWC operatives guarding the area before extending the offensive to Bakori town and surrounding communities. Acting on prior intelligence, security operatives mounted a coordinated response that triggered a fierce gun battle, forcing the attackers to retreat after suffering heavy casualties. Security assessments confirmed that more than 40 suspected bandits were neutralised during the confrontation, while follow-up intelligence confirmed that about eight senior commanders of the criminal network were among those killed. The Katsina State Government confirmed the success, describing it as a significant breakthrough in the state’s ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity.

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One of those killed was identified as Iliya Mai Rasha, a commander linked to several deadly attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, who sources said had joined the assault at Aiki’s invitation. His killing is considered a significant operational success, as he had long been a target of security forces. Sources further disclosed that Idi Abasu Aiki sustained life-threatening gunshot wounds during the exchange. His fate could not be independently verified as of the time of filing reports, but security sources described his injuries as severe.

Despite the success, the operation came at a cost. The Katsina State Government confirmed that five members of the hunters’ team were killed during the operation after they were caught outside the frontline while attending to personal shopping activities. The government described the slain hunters as “courageous patriots who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of their communities” and extended condolences to their families. One of the fallen hunters was identified as Idris Ibrahim Babawo.

Security operatives have since commenced clearance operations in the affected area to recover abandoned weapons and other items left behind by the fleeing bandits, while surveillance has been intensified to prevent further attacks. Authorities confirmed that normalcy has been restored to Guga and surrounding communities, reaffirming their commitment to sustained joint security operations across the state. The latest operation followed an earlier confrontation on July 7 at Dawan Laila Village, where the same criminal network reportedly suffered significant losses during an engagement with local security volunteers.

In a related development, troops of the 17 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF), working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), recovered 126 rustled livestock, comprising 83 cows and 43 sheep, after ambushing suspected terrorists driving the animals through Yankwani Village in Bakori LGA at about 6 a.m. on July 26. The suspects fled into the bush on sighting troops, abandoning the livestock, which were handed over to the Chairman of the Bakori Peace Keeping Committee for identification and return to their owners. Also, troops of the 17 Brigade, in collaboration with the KSCWC, rescued a kidnapped woman in Karkata Village, Charanchi Local Government Area, at about 11:22 p.m. on Sunday, after a distress call reached troops at Forward Operating Base Radda. The team engaged the abductors, forcing them to abandon the victim and flee. The woman was reunited with her family.

Over 40 Bandits, 8 Commanders Killed as Security Forces Repel Katsina Attack

Gunmen Kill 5 Siblings, 25 Others in Midnight Attack on Kaduna Community

At least 30 people, including five siblings from the same family, were killed when armed gunmen invaded Naridon community in Kamaru Chawai Ward of Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, in a brutal attack that has drawn widespread condemnation from Amnesty International, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and civil society groups.

The attack, which occurred around 12:35 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2026, saw heavily armed assailants storm the community with sophisticated weapons, shooting sporadically and setting homes and shops ablaze. Security personnel arrived hours after the attackers had fled the scene, leaving residents to bury their dead.

The five siblings from the Emmanuel family were identified as Deborah Emmanuel, Friday Emmanuel, Yusuf Emmanuel, Yunana Emmanuel and Irimiya Emmanuel. Their parents escaped the attack and later returned to the community to discover the devastating loss of all five of their children. A former youth leader in the area, Comrade Friday Ango, who confirmed the incident, said: “From the report I received, 24 people have been confirmed dead. The number could rise later, but for now, the confirmed death toll is 24. One Emmanuel in the community lost five children in the incident. Only he and his wife escaped.”

Gunmen Kill 5 Siblings, 25 Others in Midnight Attack on Kaduna Community

Amnesty International, which strongly condemned the attack, described it as “perhaps one of the deadliest attacks on southern Kaduna villages.” The organisation said it obtained images showing “entire families locked up and slaughtered inside their bedrooms. Children had their throats slit and their heads left with massive cuts. There was blood on beds, in kitchens and on the trails of those bleeding while trying to escape.” Community leader Yunusa Babados recounted a chilling account of the brutality: “In one family, they killed six children and told the parents: ‘We will spare you and kill all your children’.” Sources confirmed that the victims included women, children and elderly residents. The attack lasted approximately three hours, with the gunmen moving from house to house. Resident Barnabas Musa told AFP the community gathered at least 30 dead bodies, including women and children. Rubean James, another resident, said his family managed to escape through a back door into the bush and later confirmed that 31 people had been killed.

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There is disagreement among local leaders about the cause of the attack. Ango rejected reports attributing it to farmer-herder clashes, insisting that the people of Naridon were attacked without provocation. According to him, communities in Kauru LGA had suffered similar attacks for years and deserved better protection from security agencies. However, former Chairman of Kauru LGA, Musa Waziri, cautioned against immediate conclusions. He noted that Naridon is a border community with Plateau State, an area that has experienced recurring communal tensions. “When there is a clash between farmers and herders on the Plateau side, it sometimes affects our communities as well, leading to retaliatory attacks here,” he said.

Governor Uba Sani condemned the killings and directed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to provide immediate relief and humanitarian support to affected families. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to working with Plateau State Government, security agencies and traditional institutions to strengthen security cooperation along the border. The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) condemned the attack and called on the Kaduna State Police Command to urgently tackle what it described as worsening insecurity across Southern Kaduna. The union called for the deployment of Mobile Police and counter-terrorism units to vulnerable communities and intensified intelligence-led operations. Amnesty International blamed the continued violence on what it described as the failure of authorities to protect vulnerable communities and prosecute those responsible. “The spate of these killings is evidence of the failure of authorities to protect the people. The inability of authorities to bring attackers to justice is fueling impunity,” the organisation stated. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the killings as unacceptable, noting that “every life lost is a painful indictment of a government that has repeatedly promised security but continues to preside over an expanding landscape of bloodshed.”

The attack came barely two weeks after 19 Northern States Governors launched the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund (NNSTF) and pledged a monthly contribution of N1 billion to strengthen regional security coordination. The Naridon community had reportedly suffered a similar attack around the same time last year. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Gunmen Kill 5 Siblings, 25 Others in Midnight Attack on Kaduna Community