Following reports that a number of senior officials paid over ₦5 million each to advance to the position of Assistant Commissioner of Police under former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, new accusations of corruption have surfaced inside the Nigerian Police Force.
Sahara Reporters claims that the accusations are based on records that were taken from the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The contentious promotions were allegedly confirmed in an internal police wireless transmission dated February 23, 2026.
According to the mail (SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40), the promotions were authorized when the Police Service Commission communicated.
“Promotion Senior Officers x CSP to ACP x Ref Polscom Letnos. PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 31/07/2025 and PSC/Prom/1/1096/II dated 05/08/2025 x Ingenpol has graciously approved the release of promotion of the under-listed CSPs to substantive rank of ACP x with effect from the date indicated against their names,” the message stated.
Authorities were also urged to recognize the promotions in the directive, which was distributed to numerous police commands and agencies nationwide.
The document further stated, “Please convey Ingenpol’s heartfelt congratulations to the affected senior officers x Gazette and Force Order publications to follow.”
The promotion from Chief Superintendent of Police to Assistant Commissioner of Police was given to eight officers.
Mohammed Amini, Usman Abdul Dimka, Iwok Ndifere, Mohammed I. Musa, Jimoh Shittu, Muhammad S. Ibrahim, Promise Wosu, and Ibrahim Tijani Umaira are among them.
The document states that the promotions ran from July 28 to August 5, 2025.
However, sources in the police hierarchy claimed that bribes reportedly made to Police Service Commission officials impacted the promotions rather than being solely based on merit.
According to a senior police official with knowledge of the event, “the Police Service Commission secretly released this promotion under former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.”
Each officer allegedly paid approximately ₦5 million to obtain the elevation, according to the source.
These are brand-new, exclusive promotions carried out covertly by Egbetokun. The insider continued, “There are claims that these men paid ₦5 million to obtain ACP rank while their classmates are left unpromoted.”
Dissatisfaction within the police is believed to have been prompted by the development, with several officers allegedly alleging that they were passed over even though they met the requirements for advancement.
Another insider stated, “This has caused serious tension within the force because many qualified officers were ignored while others suddenly jumped ranks.”
