Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, was one of the most talked-about police officers in Nigeria between 2012 and 2016, known for his tough postings, headline-grabbing decisions, and firm policing style. Widely regarded at the time as a potential future Inspector General of Police, his career appeared to stall when he was retired alongside 21 other AIGs in 2016, a development he later challenged in court.
Mbu took the Police Service Commission to the National Industrial Court in 2017, contesting both his retirement and what he described as the denial of his due promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police. After nearly seven years of legal proceedings, he won. In October 2025, the Commission reinstated him retroactively and approved his promotion to DIG effective July 2, 2016, though subject to retirement from April 18, 2018.
Across a 33-year career, Mbu served in volatile and strategic postings across the country, including Suleja, Delta, Anambra, Oyo, Rivers, the FCT, and Lagos. As Area Commander in Suleja, he led operations that dismantled notorious robbery gangs operating across Niger and Kogi states. In the Police Education Directorate, he was credited with revamping infrastructure and earning the informal title of “father of the modern Police Education Directorate.”
His tenure as Commissioner of Police in Oyo and later Rivers States brought him intense public attention. In Oyo, he confronted entrenched criminal networks and restructured security operations, earning commendations from the state government. His transfer to Rivers in 2013 placed him at the centre of political tensions, where his actions drew both criticism and praise amid a charged political climate.
Later postings as CP FCT and AIG in Zones 7 and 2 saw further recognition for crime reduction initiatives and election security management. Despite allegations from political actors at the time, official assessments of his roles in election periods and security management were largely favourable, earning him multiple commendations and professional awards.
Following his disputed retirement, Mbu maintained that his service record was unblemished. His legal victory and eventual recognition as a retired DIG marked a personal vindication. He has attributed his career journey to faith, announcing a thanksgiving service scheduled for January 30, 2026, in his hometown in Cross River State.
Rtd. DIG Mbu Joseph Mbu, a recipient of the Nigeria Police Medal and the Nigeria Police Medal of Courage, is remembered as one of the few senior officers to have served in both Nigeria’s former and current capitals during his career.
