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Sources within the Nigeria Police Force told SaharaReporters that the development has caused serious concerns among officers who fear that the appointments could undermine discipline, accountability and professionalism within the investigative arm of the force.
A fresh controversy is rocking the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigeria Police Force, as two Superintendents of Police, SP Giwa Abdul and SP Bologi Abdullahi, who are currently under investigation over allegations of corruption, extortion, stealing and related misconduct, have allegedly been elevated to head sensitive sections within the department by the newly appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID, Margaret Ochalla.Sources within the Nigeria Police Force told SaharaReporters that the development has caused serious concerns among officers who fear that the appointments could undermine discipline, accountability and professionalism within the investigative arm of the force.
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Multiple police sources disclosed that both officers are currently being investigated by several units. Meanwhile, according to sources, investigators recently discovered hundreds of millions of naira in bank accounts belonging to SP Abdul as part of an ongoing probe.
However, despite these ongoing investigations, the officers were reportedly assigned to head certain sections within FCID Abuja shortly after the appointment of the new Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the department, Margaret Ochalla.
Investigations Ongoing in Multiple Police Units
According to senior police sources familiar with the matter, the investigations against the officers are being conducted by three major units within the police system: the IGP Monitoring Unit, the FCID Anti-Money Laundering Section and the FCID X-Squad in Abuja.
One of the officers leading the probe is Commissioner of Police Hyacinth Edozie, who currently heads the Anti-Money Laundering Unit at FCID Abuja.
Investigators reportedly discovered suspicious financial transactions linked to SP Abdul, including large sums of money running into hundreds of millions of naira allegedly found in his personal accounts.
A source familiar with the investigation told SaharaReporters that the scale of the funds raised serious questions among investigators.
“Police authorities discovered hundreds of millions of naira in SP Giwa Abdul’s account during the investigation. The amount of money traced to him raised serious red flags among investigators,” one of the sources said.
The sources added that the investigations were initiated during the tenure of the former DIG in charge of FCID, Sadiq Abubakar, who recently retired from service.
Officers Previously Placed Under Supervision
According the sources, the two officers had earlier been placed under administrative supervision as part of disciplinary control measures pending the conclusion of investigations.
SP Abdul was reportedly placed under the supervision of CP Hyacinth Edozie at FCID Abuja, while SP Abdullahi was placed under the supervision of the FCID X-Squad unit.
A senior officer familiar with the disciplinary process explained that the decision to move the officers under supervision was meant to ensure they remained under strict monitoring while investigations continued.
“Following the outcome of the preliminary investigations, they were placed under supervision within FCID Abuja as part of administrative and disciplinary measures pending further review by the former DIG,” the source explained.
Sources said the former DIG had even considered recommending the dismissal of both officers from the police force before several interventions reportedly slowed the process.
Allegations of Unprofessional Postings
However, the situation has reportedly taken a dramatic turn following the appointment of DIG Ochalla to oversee FCID operations nationwide
According to several officers who spoke to SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity, the two officers were recently assigned to head sections within FCID Abuja despite being relatively junior officers and still under investigation.
This development has triggered concern among senior officers who believe the decision undermines discipline and accountability within the police force.
One senior officer said the development has sent the wrong signal within the department.
“FCID Abuja is the highest investigative arm of the Nigeria Police Force. Assigning officers who are currently under investigation to head sensitive sections sends a very dangerous message to officers who have maintained discipline and professionalism throughout their careers,” the officer said.
Concerns About Chain of Command
Sources also alleged that SP Abdul has been displaying open disregard for senior authority within the department.
Several officers alleged that Abdul often boasts of having romantic ties with DIG Ochalla and claims that this connection shields him from disciplinary action.
One police source described the development as troubling for the chain of command within the department.
“He goes about boasting openly that he has the backing of the DIG and that he controls her. Such conduct, if left unchecked, can seriously undermine discipline and respect for senior authority within FCID,” the source said.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
Internal police sources also raised concerns about possible conflict of interest involving DIG Ochalla.
According to officers familiar with the matter, during the period when SP Abdul and SP Abdullahi were under investigation, Ochalla, who at the time served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the FCID Annex in Alagbon, reportedly made appeals for leniency on their behalf.
The officers said the situation has raised questions about the integrity of the posting decisions.
“When you consider that she previously appealed for leniency for them and now they have been placed in sensitive leadership positions under her command, officers are asking serious questions about conflict of interest,” another source said.
Luxury Lifestyle Raises Questions
Further raising suspicion among investigators is the reportedly extravagant lifestyle maintained by SP Abdul.
Sources within the police told SaharaReporters that Abdul drives multiple exotic luxury vehicles, a lifestyle that many officers believe is inconsistent with his official salary.
One source said his conduct within the FCID premises has also been controversial.
“He drives several exotic and very expensive cars. Sometimes he even parks them in spaces reserved for Commissioners of Police. That kind of behaviour shows clear disregard for hierarchy,” the source said.
Alleged Role as Financial Middleman
Some internal sources also alleged that Abdul acts as a gatekeeper for Ochalla and allegedly collects money from internet fraud suspects and other criminal elements on her behalf.
Leadership Transition at FCID
DIG Ochalla only recently resumed at FCID headquarters.
According to officers within the department, she reported to the office and completed documentation on March 10, 2026, but is expected to formally assume full leadership of the department on March 16, 2026.
However, officers expressed surprise that the controversial postings were reportedly made even before she fully assumed operational control.
“She has not even fully taken over the leadership of FCID yet. She only documented on Tuesday, March 10, and is scheduled to formally take over on Monday, March 16. Yet this was already made a priority,” one senior officer said.
Internal Discontent Growing
The developments have reportedly generated quiet discontent within the FCID, particularly among officers who believe the department’s reputation could be damaged if the allegations are not addressed transparently.
Several officers who spoke to SaharaReporters said they fear the situation could weaken public confidence in the investigative arm of the police force.
“If officers under investigation can suddenly become heads of sections, it discourages those who try to maintain professional standards,” one officer said.
Sources confirmed that investigations by the IGP Monitoring Unit, FCID Anti-Money Laundering Unit and FCID X-Squad in Abuja are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, a confidential police wireless communication has disclosed the immediate redeployment of three senior officers within the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, SaharaReporters has learned.
According to the wireless message obtained from NIGPOL FORCID Abuja and addressed to COMPOL ADMIN/AML/X-SQUAD Abuja, the posting directive was issued under reference number CH: 6140/X/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.6/14.
The document indicated that the order was transmitted through the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) overseeing the FCID, mandating an internal reshuffle across the department’s investigative units.
The message says that the authorities in Abuja have ordered the immediate posting of the following police officers: CSP Lasisi Babatunde (AP/No. 106783) as Officer-in-Charge of the Financial Investigation Team; SP Giwa Abdul (AP/No. 93926) as Head of the Cyber Fraud Team and SP Abdullahi B. Abdullahi (AP/No. 93891) as Head of the Tactical Investigation Team.
SaharaReporters learnt that the Cyber Fraud Team is a police unit responsible for investigating online scams, digital financial crimes, and internet-related fraud while the Tactical Investigation Team is tasked with handling complex and high-risk investigations.
The wireless message was marked “M/IMMEDIATE”, indicating that the postings are to take effect without delay.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, Anthony Okon, had yet to respond to inquiries on the matter as of the time of filing this report.
When contacted by SaharaReporters, Okon said he was about to attend a meeting and would reply via message afterward. However, no response had been received by press time.
Similarly, when SaharaReporters reached out to Ochalla for her reaction, she explained that she was in a meeting and asked to be called back in 20 minutes. All further efforts to obtain her comment proved unsuccessful, as she declined subsequent calls and did not respond to messages sent to her.
SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS
