Moses Jitoboh, ex-ADC to Jonathan, is dead

Moses Jitoboh, a former deputy inspector general (DIG) and aide-de-camp (ADC) to former president Goodluck Jonathan, is dead.

Jitoboh reportedly died on Friday after a brief illness. He was 54 years old.

Adebola Hamzat, assistant inspector general of police in charge of Zone 16, Bayelsa state, confirmed his death in a statement on Saturday.

Hamzat described the deceased as a dedicated officer whose contributions to the force would be remembered.

“The passing of the DIG (Jitoboh) is a great loss, not only to the immediate family but to the entire Bayelsa State, Nigeria Police Force and the Nation at large,” the statement reads.

“His contributions to the Nigeria Police Force, dedication to service and integrity can never be forgotten, and before his retirement in 2023.

“It is our prayer that God will give the immediate family the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss of your beloved Son.”

Jitoboh served as DIG research and planning, and information & communications technology (ICT) at the Force Headquarters.

He was ADC to Jonathan during his tenure as Bayelsa state governor and vice-president, and continued in his security team after he became president.

Jitoboh returned to police duty after the former president lost the 2015 presidential election.

In 2021, Jitoboh was allegedly ignored when former President Muhammadu Buhari named Usman Baba as inspector-general of police (IGP).

After Alkali retired in 2023, Kayode Egbetokun was appointed as IGP by President Bola Tinubu.

This development led to Jitoboh’s compulsory retirement as he was Egbetokun’s superior.

Last year, Jitoboh sued the Police Service Commission (PSC) over his retirement from the force.

He described the decision as a violation of rule 020810 of the public service rules and section 18 (8) of the Nigeria Police Act 2020, respectively.