The redeployment of CP Bitrus Giwa from Enugu State and the appointment of CP Fidelis Ogarabe as his replacement have generated controversy amid allegations that the outgoing police commissioner was removed for allegedly refusing to accede to political demands by Governor Peter Mbah.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Thursday announced Ogarabe’s deployment to Enugu as part of a fresh posting of four commissioners of police to different state commands.
The development comes amid claims circulating on social media that Giwa had fallen out with the Enugu State Government over an alleged request to provide personnel for political operations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegations were amplified by Emir Sirdam, a popular X Spaces host and supporter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who said two individuals had independently contacted him with similar accounts of the circumstances surrounding the commissioner’s removal.
In a post on his X account, Sirdam questioned the development, suggesting that the alleged disagreement between Giwa and the governor could be connected to the planned change in leadership of the state police command.
One of the messages shared by the social media personality claimed that Giwa was scheduled to be removed because he allegedly refused to cooperate with the governor’s political plans.
The sender alleged that Mbah had sought the provision of 500 political thugs from the police commissioner but was rebuffed.
“There's a serious plan to remove the commissioner of police Enugu State because he refused to play along with the governor's political plan. They have order for his removal this month,” the message stated.
Another message alleged that the governor had approached Giwa with a request for 500 individuals who would disguise themselves as police officers and operate as political thugs to suppress opposition activities.
The sender further claimed that Giwa’s alleged refusal led to a complaint against him to the Inspector-General of Police, culminating in moves to transfer him from Enugu under the guise of a new posting.
The claims, however, remain unverified. No documentary evidence was provided by the individuals who sent the messages, while no official statement has established any connection between Giwa’s redeployment and the allegations against the governor.
The Enugu State Government had also not issued a response to the allegations as of the time of filing this report.
Nevertheless, the change of police leadership has drawn attention to the importance of institutional independence and political neutrality among security agencies as parties and political actors begin positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
In its announcement, the PSC said Ogarabe’s appointment followed an interview process designed to assess the suitability and professional capacity of the officers selected for the new assignments.
Ogarabe was previously the Commissioner of Police in charge of INTERPOL Annex, Lagos, before his deployment to Enugu.
Other officers affected by the exercise include CP Sunday J. A. Okoebor, formerly Commissioner of Police, Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, who was posted to Plateau State.
CP Sheikh Mohammed Danko, who previously headed the Force Intelligence Annex in Lagos, was deployed to Nasarawa State, while CP Johnson Ayodeji Babalola, formerly of the Special Inquiry Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, was posted to Ondo State.
The appointments were approved on Thursday at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, Police Service Commission headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed by the commission’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Kalu, said the appointments were made in accordance with the commission’s constitutional responsibilities.
The PSC chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, said the exercise was conducted pursuant to Section 215(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers the commission to appoint Commissioners of Police for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Argungu, represented by a board member, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (rtd.), said the officers had been found worthy in learning and character.
He charged the newly appointed commissioners to discharge their duties without bias and meet the expectations of their respective offices.
With Ogarabe now deployed to Enugu, attention will be on the new police leadership's handling of security and political activities in the state, particularly as the controversy surrounding Giwa’s exit continues to generate debate.
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