PSC Dismisses 18 Senior Officers, Downgrades 19 Ranks

The Police Service Commission has approved the firing of 18 senior police officers, including ten assistant superintendents, four deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent.

The Commission also authorized the decrease in rank of 19 other senior police officers, including one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and thirteen Assistant Superintendents.

The PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, who stated this in a statement on Friday, said the suspensions were part of far-reaching decisions made by the Commission in its final segment of its first Plenary Meeting in Abuja.

The PSC handles 110 pending disciplinary matters (PDM), 23 appeals and petition cases, and 13 court judgments requesting compliance.

The statement noted that the Commission had earlier considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters which had since been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

It added that several other officers found culpable received different punishments including, severe reprimand, reprimand and letter of warning.

“Most of the officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending Disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police. The Commission also considered 23 Appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements.”

The Plenary Meeting was chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd) and had DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani also present.

DIG Argungu stated that the Commission will now evaluate Police Disciplinary issues with urgency in order to release Police Officers who are unwilling to continue their career growth and those found culpable to fulfill their punishments.

He cautioned that the Commission will not spare Police Officers who engage in civil affairs such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent conflicts.

Argungu stated that the courts should be allowed to carry out their jobs, while the police should focus more on criminal problems and threats to life.