Despite reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 and officially retiring from active service on November 5, 2024, Lalas has been retained by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

The presence of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Danladi Bitrus Lalas, who oversees the Nigeria Police Airwing, is generating significant controversy within the police force.

Despite reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60 and officially retiring from active service on November 5, 2024, Lalas has been retained by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

Furthermore, Lalas's name did not appear on the retirement list. Sources indicate that he continues to handle official police documents and occupy his office, signing documents as if he is still an active AIG, without acknowledging his retired status.

This situation is reportedly causing concerns among professionals within the department, who are urging Lalas to vacate the office.

SaharaReporters learned that Lalas has been the Head of the Airwing since 2018. Sources indicate that during his tenure, the number of serviceable aircraft has decreased from six to just one.

"He is still occupying office and still signing documents as serving AIG without attaching retired on his name," said one of the sources.

"His refusal to proceed on retirement is causing depression to all professionals attached to the department.

"He took over Airwing with six serviceable aircraft but only one helicopter is serviceable now."

Despite his poor performance, the source said "he told us that he retired but IGP told him to stay.

"He's not wearing uniform but he's the one signing all official documents without inserting ‘retired’ attached to his name."

SaharaReporters earlier on Tuesday reported that the Nigeria Police Force had fully authorised the retirement of all officers implicated in forgery, age falsification, and circumventing service regulations to extend their tenure beyond the mandatory retirement date.

A police wireless message dated February 10, 2025 and addressed to all zonal commands, departments, among others referred to the decision reached by the Police Service Commission (PSC) at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on the regularisation of the date of first appointment of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors force entrants.

The memo with reference number CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/294, reads: “Re: Police Service Commission decision at its 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the 6th Management Board on the regularization of date of first appointment of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors force entrants X INGENPOL firmly directs you proceed with full implementation of POLSCOM directives X unambiguously conveyed in MYLET No. CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/292, dated 01/02/2025 X This sig. supersedes MYSIG No. CH:8400/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.2/293 DTO: 051604/02/2025 X for your strict compliance X acknowledge receipt X please X.”

On February 5, SaharaReporters reported that the Nigerian Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had stopped the retirement of all senior police officers who had either exceeded 35 years in service or were above the age of 60.

Egbetokun had earlier in a letter dated February 1, 2025 and signed on his behalf by CP Bode Akinbamilowo, Deputy Force Secretary, asked the affected officers to go on immediate retirement.

These include Simon Lough, SAN, the Head of the NPF Legal Section and Benneth Igweh, a former Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner.

The letter was titled ‘Re: Police Service Commission Decision At Its 1st Extra Ordinary Meeting Of The 6th Management Board On The Regularisation Of Date Of First Appointment Of Cadet ASPs/Inspectors Force Entrants.’

It had read, “Attached letter No. CH: 8400.IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.17/90 dates 31st January, 2025 with its attachments received from the Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters Abuja in respect of the above underlined subject refers.

“I am to convey the directive of the Inspector General of Police that you ensure comprehensive implementation of the decision with emphasis on paragraphs 3 and 4 of the attachment letter under reference.”

The decision of the PSC referred to in the letter was earlier communicated to the IGP in a letter dated January 31, 2025 and signed by Nnamani Onyemuche, Secretary to the PSC.

 Paragraphs 3 and 4 to be given emphasis read: “Accordingly, the Commission at its 1st extraordinary meeting of the 6th Management Board held on Friday 31st January 2025 has approved the immediate retirement of those officers who have spent 35 years in service and those above 60 years of age.

“Any omission discovered subsequently on this issue also falls within this approval.”

Paragraph 5 reads: Please implement, inform the affected officers and make replacement for the vacancies thereafter immediately and forward to the commission for its consideration and approval.”

However, a police signal dated February 5, 2025, and exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters revealed another directive from Egbetokun, putting all actions specified in his February 1, 2025 letter on hold.

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