I Was Not Discharged From Police: Retired DIG Ari Mohammed Ali Fires Back
The retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, Ari Mohammed Ali, has come out strongly to clear the air over reports making the rounds that he was discharged from the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of age falsification and violation of service rules.
Speaking through a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Anas Alemani, DIG Ari Mohammed Ali (rtd) described the story first reported by Sahara Reporters as false, misleading, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the good name and outstanding records he has built over more than three decades of dedicated service to the nation.
DIG Ali emphasized that he retired honourably and meritoriously after serving the Nigeria Police Force for 35 years without any blemish, attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60 years, as required by law.
According to his aide, “The respected senior Police officer served in various capacities across different commands in Nigeria and distinguished himself excellently in every role he was assigned. He has no interest in being dragged into any malicious or mischievous publications. However, to set the records straight and so that the public and his numerous supporters are not misled, it is necessary to put the facts in black and white.”
DIG Ari Mohammed Ali’s journey in the Nigeria Police Force began on 3rd March 1990, when he enlisted as a member of the Course 16 Cadet ASPs at the prestigious Police Academy, Kaduna. Over the years, he served in several states including Delta, Bayelsa, Lagos, Rivers, and Kano, and at important institutions like the Police Staff College in Jos.
Notable among his many achievements was his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Lagos State for three years, where his exceptional leadership earned him the Security Watch Africa Award as the Best Operations Officer in Africa in 2018.
In 2021, DIG Ali was deployed as the 20th Commissioner of Police in Delta State, a period during which the state recorded one of the lowest crime rates in the country, making Delta State one of the safest places in Nigeria.
Due to his consistent hard work, commitment, and outstanding policing strategies, DIG Ari Mohammed Ali rose to the rank of Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in 2023. He was posted to Zone 2 Lagos and later moved to the Force Headquarters Abuja as the AIG in charge of Community Policing. His career trajectory continued upward when he was later posted to Zone 1, Kano, where he again served with distinction.
On 24th November 2024, he was promoted to the prestigious rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and put in charge of the Operations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
From this position, DIG Ali retired peacefully and proudly on 1st March 2025, after reaching the legally stipulated retirement age of 60 and completing 35 years of service, with an unblemished record.
The statement also highlighted that DIG Ari Mohammed Ali holds a PhD from the Irish University, Penbroke Square, United Kingdom, further showcasing his commitment to academic and professional excellence throughout his career.
Reacting to the smear campaign, his media aide said: “It is clear that the baseless allegations are a cheap attempt to discredit a man who has dedicated his life to the service of his country with loyalty, integrity, and excellence. We urge members of the press and the general public to disregard the fake news and always verify stories before publication.”
The statement added that DIG Ari Mohammed Ali will not hesitate to take legal action if there are continued attempts to damage his reputation.
He concluded by thanking the numerous well-wishers, colleagues, friends, and supporters who have stood by him, reminding everyone that truth will always prevail over falsehood.
