Corruption Scandal Rocks Nigerian Police As Governor’s CSO, Another Officer Receive ‘Undue’ ACP Promotions Amid ₦10m Bribery Allegation
The recent promotion of two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to the rank of Acting Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP) has sparked controversy within the Nigeria Police Force, with senior officers raising concerns over the process.
According to top police sources, CSP Adamu Shaba Gboyako and CSP Irikefe London were not yet due for elevation when the promotions were approved by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
An official wireless message from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, dated February 26, 2026, confirmed that the promotions were based on recommendations from the Inspector-General of Police and took effect from February 25, 2026.
Adamu Shaba Gboyako (AP/No. 140328), who currently serves as the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, was elevated from CSP to Acting ACP. Similarly, Irikefe London (AP/No. 107044) was promoted from CSP to Acting ACP.
The PSC congratulated the officers and stated that their names would be published in the official gazette and force orders in due course. The announcement was also circulated to police formations nationwide, including zonal commands, state commands, and specialized units, for immediate recognition of the new ranks.
However, sources within the force alleged that Shaba’s promotion may have involved a financial transaction running into several million naira, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.
One of the sources described the development as a “scandalous, corruption-driven promotion” involving officers who were allegedly not due for advancement.
According to the source, Shaba was said to have paid as much as ₦10 million to secure the special promotion.
The source further alleged that Shaba is a powerful officer linked to the controversial Tiger Base police unit in Imo State, which has been accused by rights groups of shielding criminal activities.
Tiger Base, the nickname for the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command in Owerri, has long faced allegations of torture, unlawful detention, and extrajudicial killings. Human rights organisations and families of victims have repeatedly called for independent investigations into the unit’s activities.
Public concern intensified in December 2025 following the death of businessman Levi Opara while in custody at the Tiger Base facility under circumstances many described as suspicious. The incident sparked widespread calls for a thorough investigation.
Earlier in January 2026, reports also emerged that some staff attached to the unit had raised alarms over alleged threats to their lives and an alleged plot to dismiss them from service. The claims were reportedly linked to the unit’s commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa.
One staff member accused the commander of subjecting officers to sustained intimidation, humiliation, and professional victimisation.
Meanwhile, fresh allegations of corruption have also surfaced within the Nigeria Police promotion system.
It was earlier reported that several senior officers allegedly paid about ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of ACP during the tenure of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
Documents, including an internal police wireless message from the Force Headquarters in Abuja dated February 23, 2026, confirmed the promotions.
The directive, referenced SH.4700/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T.3/40, indicated that the promotions were approved following correspondence from the Police Service Commission.
The message stated that the Inspector-General of Police had approved the elevation of several CSPs to the substantive rank of ACP, effective from the dates indicated against their names.
The document listed eight officers promoted from CSP to ACP: Ibrahim Tijani Umaira, Mohammed Amini, Usman Abdul Dimka, Iwok Ndifere, Mohammed I. Musa, Jimoh Shittu, Muhammad S. Ibrahim, and Promise Wosu. According to the document, the promotions took effect between July 28 and August 5, 2025.
However, insider sources within the police hierarchy alleged that the promotions were not strictly based on merit but were influenced by payments made to officials within the Police Service Commission.
One senior officer familiar with the matter claimed that the promotions were carried out secretly during the tenure of former Inspector-General Egbetokun.
According to the source, each of the officers allegedly paid about ₦5 million to secure the ACP rank.
“These are special promotions quietly carried out under Egbetokun. There are allegations that these officers paid ₦5 million to obtain the ACP rank while many of their course mates who were qualified were left behind,” the source said.
Another insider added that the development had created serious tension within the force, as several eligible officers were allegedly overlooked while others advanced unexpectedly.
In response to the allegations, the Police Service Commission has denied claims that senior officers paid money to secure promotions.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Njoku Kalu, described the allegations as false and defamatory.
“The Police Service Commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.
The commission insisted that the promotions were carried out in line with established guidelines and due process governing its operations.
