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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 and professionalism for 34 years.
The group made the remarks amid changes in the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force following the retirement of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the confirmation of AIG Tunji Disu as acting IGP.
With Disu’s confirmation, about 29 senior officers who are above the incoming acting IGP in the order of seniority are expected to exit the Force in line with established service rules.
In a statement yesterday, CASA’s Secretary-General, Moses Akinlotan, said Mba’s career reflected discipline, merit and loyalty to the institution, while also wishing acting IGP Disu a successful tenure.
“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,” Akinlotan said.
He added that Mba brought “depth, clarity and professionalism” to investigations, operations, administration and public communication throughout his career.
Akinlotan dismissed claims that Mba was elevated above his seniors, describing such insinuations as unfounded.
“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,” he said.
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.
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He is also an alumnus of the FBI National Academy 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, becoming a member of the National Institute. He also attended the Oxford Strategic Leadership Programme at the University of Oxford in 2023.
Mba graduated as the best Cadet Inspector in academics from the Nigeria Police Academy in 1992.
Over the years, he served in several key roles, including Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command; Commissioner of Police in charge of the Border Patrol Force at Force Headquarters, Abuja and Area Commander in Ajah and Festac, Lagos. He also served at the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi; Force CID Annex, Kaduna and State CID, Umuahia.
A three-time Force Public Relations Officer, Mba became one of the most recognisable spokespersons of the Nigeria Police, shaping public engagement and crisis communication. He was part of the Nigerian contingent to the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Liberia between 2006 and 2007, earning a UN Medal.
He also served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, and is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He recently defended his PhD thesis at the University of Ibadan.
Akinlotan described Mba as a scholar-practitioner, whose exposure to international law enforcement best practices distinguished him among his peers.
“When he served as Force spokesman, he redefined police communication. He projected professionalism, calmness and clarity at a time when tensions were high,” he said.
The group urged the police authorities to preserve institutional memory and sustain reforms introduced by officers of Mba’s generation.
“Retirement is a statutory process, not a verdict on performance. For DIG Frank Mba, history will record a career marked by integrity, professionalism, discipline and commitment to national service,” Akinlotan added.
