Moses Jitoboh, a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police and trusted aide-de-camp (ADC) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has died at the age of 54. The senior police officer reportedly passed away on Friday following a brief illness, sparking tributes from across the nation.
Assistant Inspector General of Police Adebola Hamzat, who oversees Zone 16 in Bayelsa State, confirmed Jitoboh’s death in a statement on Saturday. Hamzat described the late officer as a dedicated public servant whose legacy in the Nigeria Police Force will endure.
“The passing of DIG Moses Jitoboh is a great loss, not only to his immediate family but also to the entire Bayelsa State, the Nigeria Police Force, and the nation at large,” the statement read. “His contributions to the force, his dedication to service, and his unwavering integrity will never be forgotten. We pray that God grants his family the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss.”
Jitoboh had a distinguished career in the Nigeria Police Force. As DIG, he served in key departments, including Research and Planning, as well as Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at the Force Headquarters.
His service to the nation extended beyond his role in the police force. Jitoboh served as ADC to Jonathan during his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State, vice president, and later as president. Even after Jonathan’s presidency ended in 2015, Jitoboh returned to active police duty, where he continued to rise through the ranks.
However, Jitoboh’s career faced challenges in its later stages. In 2021, he was reportedly overlooked for the position of Inspector General of Police (IGP) when former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Usman Baba to the role. Following the appointment of Kayode Egbetokun as IGP by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, Jitoboh was compelled to retire as he was senior to the newly appointed IGP.
Displeased with his early retirement, Jitoboh took legal action against the Police Service Commission (PSC) in 2023, alleging that his retirement violated public service rules and provisions of the Nigeria Police Act 2020.
Jitoboh’s death has drawn condolences from colleagues, friends, and those who admired his service to the nation. A native of Bayelsa State, his passing is seen as a significant loss to the Nigerian police force and the wider community.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.
By Saifullahi Muhammad
