The Nigeria Police Force has directed the immediate deletion of 52 retired senior officers from the federal government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). The directive followed a wireless message dated April 10, 2025, with reference number CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/78. The Force sent the order to relevant units, urging them to update their records and remove the officers from the payroll database.
Memo Signals End of Payroll Oversight
The memo, titled “Discharge and Retirement”, came from the Office of the Force Secretary at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. It was sent to all police departments, formations, zonal commands (Zones 1–17), and sister agencies.
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The communication included instructions for the ICT/Computer Unit and the Records and Data Management Section. These units must ensure that the retired officers no longer appear in the payroll system. The move aims to correct discrepancies that allowed some officers to remain on the payroll years after retirement.
Retired Officers Still on Payroll
The message listed names, ranks, and retirement dates of the affected officers. Some had retired as far back as 2018, while others left the Force in early 2025.
Among the earliest retirees was Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abdullateef Yusuf Ajape, who left on May 1, 2018. Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) such as Kingsley Anyanwu, Theman Salami Dille, and Akande Sunday also featured in the memo. Their retirement dates range from 2022 to 2023.
The memo also identified several Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) who retired in recent months. Officers like CSP Ayodele Chuks, CSP Grace Wonwu, and CSP Ibrahim Achem were among the latest to exit the Force, with retirement dates falling between January and April 2025.
Order Demands Swift Action
The wireless message instructed the ICT unit to act without delay. “AIGPOL Budget Abuja only. Grateful delete officers’ names from IPPIS payroll. NIGPOL ICT/Computer/Abuja/Record states only. Amend records yours accordingly, please,” the memo read.
This clear language underscores the urgency behind the order. The directive demands cooperation from all technical and administrative departments to avoid delays in record corrections.
Push for Payroll Transparency
This action aligns with the Nigeria Police Force’s push for greater transparency and accountability in payroll management. For years, stakeholders have raised concerns about “ghost workers” and payroll irregularities within the public sector. With this update, the Police aim to set a precedent for accurate and timely recordkeeping.
Removing these 52 officers from the IPPIS will also improve budget efficiency. It reduces the risk of salary overpayments and ensures that resources go to active personnel.
Reinforcing Institutional Reforms
The Force’s recent step highlights its commitment to internal reforms. By cleaning up outdated payroll records, it aims to close loopholes that may have enabled payroll fraud.
The move also supports broader government reforms targeting efficiency in public sector institutions. As agencies adopt digital tools and real-time data systems, outdated entries such as these will likely become rare.
With this directive, the Nigeria Police has taken a bold step to correct lingering payroll irregularities. It sends a clear message that outdated records will no longer be tolerated. More importantly, it reflects the Force’s readiness to adapt to digital reforms and uphold financial integrity within its ranks.