By Olaitan Ibrahim
A retired Deputy Inspector General, DIG, of Police, Mrs Olofu Rhoda Adetutu, has clarified that her retirement from the police was upon attaining 35-year in service without blemish and that she was never discharged.
Olofu made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday explaining that she joined the Nigeria Police Force, NPF at 25 and was never involved in falsification of age or other misconduct.
The statement reads:
“My attention has just been drawn to a publication dated April 26, 2025, by an online publication, Sahara Reporters. The said report purports than I was “discharged” from the police “over allegations of age falsification and violation of service rules.” A number of my colleagues who equally retired from the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, were also listed in the same report. Nothing can be farther from the truth than this baseless concoction, which attempts to stand gospel truth and reality on its head.
“To put things in correct perspective, I joined the Nigeria Police on March 3, 1990. I was barely 25 years of age at the time. I had indeed graduated with honours from the University of Ilorin in 1986, just about the time of my 21st birthday. I trained at the prestigious Police Academy Kaduna.
“I served the Nigeria police force in various capacities. Notably: Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Establishment, Office of the Force Secretary; Deputy Commissioner of Police, (DCP), Investment, Logistics and Supply Department as well as DCP, Administration, Training and Development. Similarly, I was DCP, Research and Planning; Commissioner of Police, (CP), Servicom, Research and Planning; CP, X-Squad, Force Criminal Investigation Department, (FCID) and CP, Ports Authority Police Western Command, Lagos. I was also AIG, Maritime Police Command, Lagos. I was redeployed to the Force Headquarters August 28, 2024, as Force Secretary of the Nigeria and rose to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Force thereby becoming the first female Deputy Inspector-General of Police in the entire Northern Nigeria to the glory of God.
“I retired after attaining 35 years of service with unblemished record. As it stands, I am yet to attain the age of 60. Service rules requires that officers and personnel retire either upon the completion of 35 years or attainment of 60 years. For me, my 35th year in service preceded my 60th birthday. I retired, contented, grateful to God for a career without blemish, and thankful to the Nigeria Police for the opportunity to contribute my quota to national development. I was NEVER discharged from service as it has been mischievously proffered.”
*DIG (Mrs) Rhoda Adetutu Olofu, (rtd)*