The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, including ten Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent.
Additionally, the Commission approved the reduction in rank of 19 other senior officers, consisting of one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and thirteen Assistant Superintendents.
Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC spokesperson, revealed in a statement on Friday that these actions were part of significant decisions made during the final segment of the Commission’s first Plenary Meeting in Abuja. The Commission addressed 110 Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), 23 appeals, and petitions, as well as 13 court judgments requiring compliance.
The statement also highlighted that the Commission had previously reviewed and approved several promotion recommendations, which have since been communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation. In addition to the dismissals, some officers found guilty received various sanctions, including severe reprimands, reprimands, and letters of warning.
The officers who were dismissed are also expected to face prosecution by the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Unit. Three Pending Disciplinary Matters were postponed, pending additional information from the Inspector General of Police. Furthermore, the Commission reviewed 23 Appeals and Petitions and nine legal matters, including court judgments.
The meeting, chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), also saw the presence of DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd) and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani. DIG Argungu emphasized that the Commission would now expedite the handling of Police Disciplinary matters to ensure that officers not found guilty can continue their career progression, while those who are culpable will face appropriate punishments.
He also warned that the Commission would not tolerate police officers engaging in civil disputes, such as those related to land, marital, or rent issues, stressing that these matters should be left to the courts. The police, he stated, should focus on criminal activities and life-threatening situations.
