Group Celebrates DIG Mba Over Unblemished Service In Police

A civil society group, the Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA), has described the deputy inspector-general of police, Frank Mba, as a disciplined and reform-minded officer who served Nigeria with integrity, professionalism and uncommon commitment to duty for 34 years.

The organisation said this against the backdrop of changes in the hierarchy of the Nigeria Police Force following the retirement of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the confirmation of acting IGP Tunji Disu as his successor.

CASA noted that with the confirmation of Disu as acting IGP, about 29 senior officers who are his senior, are expected to exit the Force, stressing that DIG Mba, who joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, the same day as Disu has spent 34 years in service and would have statutorily retired in April next year upon completing the mandatory 35 years in service.

The secretary-general of CASA, Moses Akinlotan, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, said Mba’s career trajectory reflected discipline, merit and loyalty to the institution and wished the new acting IGP a successful tenure in office.

According to him, “DIG Frank Mba represents the finest ideals of professional policing in Nigeria. In an era when public confidence in institutions is constantly tested, he stood out as an officer who combined intellect, courage and ethical discipline in the discharge of his duties.

“For 34 solid years, he served this country with integrity and commitment. From investigations to operations, administration and public communication, he brought depth, clarity and professionalism to every assignment.”

Akinlotan dismissed insinuations in some quarters that Mba was elevated above his seniors in the Force, describing such claims as unfounded, noting that “Contrary to the opinion of some critics, DIG Mba was never promoted above his seniors. His rise through the ranks followed due process and the established order of seniority. His career progression was based on merit, experience, continuous academic qualification and competence, not favouritism.”

Mba, an alumnus of the University of Lagos, obtained his LLB (Hons) before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Abuja, where he was called to the Bar in 2002. He later earned a Master’s Degree in Law with Distinction from the University of Dundee, Scotland.

He is also an alumnus of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, USA, and holds a Certificate in National and International Security from Harvard University. In 2022, he completed the Senior Executive Course at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, becoming a Member of the National Institute. He also attended the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford Business School in 2023.

Mba graduated as the best cadet inspector in academics from the Nigeria Police Academy, Kano, upon joining the Force in 1992.