By Chukwudi Obasi
The continued deployment of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Yakubu Bello, as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has raised questions over the propriety of the assignment following his promotion to the rank of ACP.
The concerns were contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Alhaji Sadiq Gambo on behalf of the Concerned Police Force Community, which called for clarification from the appropriate authorities on whether Bello’s continued deployment is consistent with his rank and responsibilities.
Bello was promoted to the rank of ACP in June 2025.
According to the group, his continued service as ADC raises questions about whether an officer who has attained a command-level rank should remain in an appointment traditionally associated with lower-ranking officers.
“The issue is not necessarily about the personality of the officer involved, but about whether an officer who has attained the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police should continue to occupy a position traditionally designated for a lower-ranking officer,” the group said.
The group argued that discipline and adherence to regulations were fundamental to policing, adding that the Nigeria Police Force should uphold internally the same standards of hierarchy and lawful procedures it expects from the public.
It noted that an ACP ordinarily occupies a command-level position and may be deployed to command a police area, formation, department or specialised unit, depending on the needs of the Force.
Against this background, the group said Bello’s continued deployment as ADC deserved clarification, particularly if existing police regulations prescribe a maximum rank for officers serving in such positions.
It also raised questions over an alleged directive requiring Bello to relinquish the ADC appointment following his promotion.
“If there is indeed a directive requiring Bello to relinquish the ADC appointment following his promotion, the appropriate authorities would need to clarify whether such directive exists, the basis for it and whether it has been complied with,” the statement said.
The group said the issue was broader than Bello’s individual posting, arguing that the credibility of the police institution depended on its willingness to subject its personnel and administrative practices to established rules.
“For an institution entrusted with maintaining law and order, adherence to its own rules should be regarded as an essential component of professionalism,” it said.
Beyond ACP Bello
The group also cited recent questions surrounding the proposed promotion of President Bola Tinubu’s ADC, Colonel Nurudeen Yusuf, to the rank of Brigadier General, saying the development raised a similar question about the relationship between an ADC’s rank and continued deployment.
However, it acknowledged that the police and military operate under different laws, structures and traditions, stressing that practices applicable to one institution cannot automatically be applied to another.
“Rank is not merely an honorific designation. It carries responsibilities, authority and expectations,” the group said.
It urged the relevant authorities to clarify whether Bello’s continued assignment as ADC is consistent with applicable police regulations and professional practice, saying transparency would help dispel doubts and strengthen public confidence in the Force.
