PSC Dismisses 18 Senior Police Officers, Demotes 19 Others

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed 18 senior officers and demoted 19 others for alleged misconduct. Learn more about the disciplinary actions.

The Police Service Commission has sanctioned the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, including ten Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent.

The Commission also sanctioned the demotion of 19 additional senior Police Officers, including 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 suspensions were among several significant decisions made by the Commission during its final session of the first Plenary Meeting held in Abuja.

The PSC is handling 110 Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), along with 23 appeal and petition cases, as well as addressing compliance for 13 court judgments.

The statement mentioned that the Commission had previously reviewed and approved recommendations on various promotion issues, which were subsequently communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.

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The statement also mentioned that various other officers, who were found culpable, received a range of punishments such as severe reprimands, regular reprimands, and letters of warning.

The majority of the dismissed officers will face prosecution by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three ongoing disciplinary cases have been temporarily put on hold, pending additional information from the Inspector General of Police. Additionally, the Commission reviewed 23 appeals and petitions as well as nine legal matters or court judgments.

The Plenary Meeting was presided over by Commission Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu. Also in attendance were retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission, along with Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.

Deputy Inspector General Argungu stated that the Commission will now handle Police Disciplinary matters promptly, allowing officers who are not found at fault to pursue their career advancement, while ensuring those deemed culpable face appropriate consequences.

He cautioned that the Commission will not tolerate police officers who involve themselves in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent-related conflicts.

Argungu suggested that the courts should be permitted to perform their duties, while the Police ought to focus more on criminal issues and threats to life.