As the race for the post of Deputy Inspector General of Police has begun, a prominent Assistant Inspector General of Police from North Central has altered his retirement records.
Nigeria Police Staff Lists obtained by our reporter on Wednesday asserted that the ambitious AIG manipulated the date on his entry history to inaccurately reflect a longer service history with the Nigeria Police Force in a deliberate act of deception to undermine the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
A contradictory record of the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Abdul Yari, shows his retirement date as of Wednesday, 8th November 2017 as 01/01/2025, while as of Thursday, 11th July 2024, it shows 31/12/2025.
This same AIG, Abdul Yari, has been involved in several controversies to become the Inspector General of Police.
Our investigation revealed that as DCP in 2017 under the former IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, Abdul Yari Lafia absented himself from duty from 18th July 2017 to 23rd October 2017, therefore he went against the Public Service Rules of Nigeria 2008 Sections 030301(m), 030301(o), 30402(e), 030402(t), 030402(w), which bordered with absent from duty without leave, insubordination, refusal to take or carry out lawful instruction from superior officer, sabotage, and any other act becoming of a public officer in accordance to Public Service Rules of Nigeria 2008 as amended.
The official query issued to Abdul Yari Lafia dated October 20, 2017, by the Commandant, Nigeria Police Academy, Wudii, Kano, was ignored by the same Abdul Yari Lafia.
In accordance with Rule 030302 of the Public Service Rules 2008, as amended, Abdul Yari Lafia never explained in quadruplicate copies within 48 hours any explanations why his conduct should not be reported to the then Inspector General of Police for appropriate sanction, hence his suspension by the Police Service Commission on the 14th of November, 2017.
Further investigation indicated that AIG Abdul Yari has been lobbying the Police Service Commission to give him a soft landing as a petition from an NGO, Integrity Youth Alliance, is really giving him sleepless nights.
A reliable source at the Force Headquarters said that AIG Abdul Yari believes the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, will not expose the discrepancies discovered in Yari’s records with the Nigeria police.
“The AIG is really preparing to be the next DIG from the North Central after several changes in his entry and retirement records. I only hope IGP Egbetokun will maintain professionalism and an unbiased stand on this AIG Yari, the source said.
The spokesperson of the Integrity Youth Alliance, Danjuma Lamido, who spoke with our correspondent, said, “It is pertinent to note that Force Entrant is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force where deserving officers with requisite educational records are upgraded to a higher cadre after a brief training period at the Police Academy or at any approved Police College, and as such, it is not a fresh appointment.
“Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart.
“Therefore, according to the Public Service Rules (7 Rule 020810 of Chapter Two), AIG Abdul Yari, having served in the public service and received salaries as required by law, cannot remain in service beyond the legally permitted period.
Danjuma further said that this deliberate act of deception not only undermines the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force but also calls into question the credibility of the information provided by all police personnel.
The group called on the Inspector General of Police to enforce the Public Service Rules; 7 Rule 020810 of Chapter two (2) of the Public Service Rules (PSR) (i) The compulsory retirement age for all grades in the Service shall be 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service whichever is earlier. (ii) No officer shall be allowed to remain in service after attaining the retirement age of 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
“We trust the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of IGP Egbetokun will maintain a culture of honesty and transparency within the Nigeria Police, and instances of dishonest behaviour must be dealt with promptly and decisively.
The current DIG from the North Central, Ari Mohammed Ali, replaced DIG Ede Ayuba, who retired on 21st October 2024 from the Nigeria police office.
As of the time of filling out this report, the phone of the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was not available, and messages sent to his phone are yet to be responded to.
