AIG Shuaya’u Lafia Abdulyari, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) from Nigeria’s North-Central region, has been accused of tampering with his retirement records in a bid to extend his tenure. Sources at the Force Headquarters revealed that discrepancies in his official documents have raised questions about the authenticity of his service record.
The Nigeria Police Force has suspended Abdulyari, effective January 9, 2025, following the findings. A wireless message sent to all departments, units, and commands, signed by the Force Secretary, informed officers that Abdulyari was to adhere to suspension rules while awaiting the decision of the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC). The suspension was communicated in a letter from the Police Service Commission (POLSCOM), referencing PSR 100406, 2021 as amended. The authorities also instructed the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Budget and Payment to stop Abdulyari’s salary immediately.
Originally, Abdulyari’s retirement date was set for January 1, 2025, but it was later changed to December 31, 2025, in July 2024, raising suspicions. One source suggested that Abdulyari is confident that the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, will overlook these irregularities, citing a culture of silence in the police force.
Further investigation into Abdulyari’s service history revealed that, as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in 2017, he was absent from duty between July 18 and October 23, 2017. This violation of the Public Service Rules of Nigeria 2008, which mandates strict adherence to duty schedules, led to an official query from the Commandant of the Nigeria Police Academy in Wudil, Kano. Despite the query, Abdulyari allegedly ignored the directive with no consequences.
Chronicles Reporters learned that Abdulyari also manipulated his entry date into the Nigeria Police Force to falsely extend his service record. This deliberate act of deception has been described as an attempt to undermine the integrity of the police force.
In addition to the falsification of records, Abdulyari has been embroiled in controversies over his ambitions to become the next Inspector General of Police. Sources indicate that he has been lobbying the Police Service Commission for a favorable outcome, fearing a petition filed by the Integrity Youth Alliance, which has added pressure on his position.
The Integrity Youth Alliance, led by spokesperson Danjuma Lamido, emphasized that Force Entrant schemes are designed to promote officers with the necessary qualifications but do not constitute a fresh appointment. As such, officers’ service duration continues, and Abdulyari, having already received his pensionable salary, should not remain in service beyond the legally allowed period.
The group has called for the enforcement of the Public Service Rules, which state that the compulsory retirement age for all officers is 60 years or 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first. Danjuma expressed hope that the Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun, would uphold transparency and honesty within the force, ensuring that any dishonest behavior is swiftly addressed.
In related news, the North Central region’s current DIG, Ari Mohammed Ali, replaced DIG Ede Ayuba after his retirement on October 21, 2024.
Efforts to contact the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
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