The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, including 10 Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent.
Additionally, the PSC sanctioned the demotion of 19 senior officers, comprising one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and 13 Assistant Superintendents.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani announced the decisions in a statement on Friday, following the Commission’s recent plenary session in Abuja. The session addressed 110 pending disciplinary matters, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgments requiring compliance.
The statement also revealed that several officers received penalties such as severe reprimands, reprimands, and warning letters. It noted that some of the dismissed officers are slated for prosecution by the Nigeria Police Force’s Legal Unit. Three disciplinary cases were deferred pending further information from the Inspector General of Police.
In addition to disciplinary actions, the PSC approved recommendations on various promotion matters, which have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Retd.), who presided over the plenary, emphasized the Commission’s commitment to promptly addressing police disciplinary cases to allow officers cleared of wrongdoing to advance in their careers and ensure that those found culpable face appropriate sanctions.
Argungu cautioned police officers against involvement in civil disputes, such as land, marital, and rent issues, urging them to focus on criminal matters and threats to public safety. He reiterated the importance of leaving civil matters to the judiciary while prioritizing law enforcement responsibilities.
The plenary session was attended by PSC Secretary Chief Onyemuche Nnamani and DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Retd.), alongside other members of the Commission.