The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has removed the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 7, Abuja, Usaini Gumel, and redeployed him to the Force Headquarters department of Community Policing, Research and Planning, following comments he allegedly made criticising the federal government’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State.
Gumel’s sudden transfer is believed to be connected to his offhand remark describing the March 18 declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers and the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy as “unconstitutional.”
According to insider reports, Gumel made the statement casually during an informal chat with colleagues in his office. However, one of the officers present reportedly relayed his remarks to the IGP, who acted immediately.
“He made the comment on March 29, and the same day, the IG directed the Force Secretary to reassign him. A wireless signal effecting the posting came out the following day,” a source told Daily Nigerian.
Gumel, who had only resumed duty in Zone 7 on February 19, was replaced by AIG Mobolaji Victor Olaiya in a memo dated March 30, 2025, with reference number: TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.5/314.
No official query or opportunity to defend himself was given to Gumel before his redeployment, sources claim.
The move is being interpreted in police circles as a disciplinary action, with Community Policing, Research and Planning described as a “punitive beat” compared to the strategic and more influential Zone 7, which covers the Federal Capital Territory and Niger State.
Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, was unreachable for comment as of press time.
