The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed 19 senior police officers and reduced the ranks of 19 others after disciplinary proceedings on their misconduct.
In a statement released on Friday, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani revealed that the dismissed “nineteen (19) senior police officers which comprised ten assistant superintendents, six deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents and one superintendent.
“The commission also approved the reduction in ranks of nineteen (19) other senior police officers, one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents, and 13 assistant superintendents.”
Ani added, “The commission also approved the reduction in ranks of nineteen other senior police officers, one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents and thirteen assistant superintendents.
“Two assistant inspectors general of police also received some punishments, one, punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions and the other, letter of warning for negligence.
“Several other officers found culpable received different punishments including, severe Reprimand, Reprimand and letter of warning.”
The meeting was attended by key Commission members, including DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), Honourable Commissioner Onyemuche Nnamani, and the Commission Secretary.
The Commission addressed 110 pending disciplinary issues, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgements that required compliance. Ani disclosed that other sanctions included severe warnings and letters of caution for several officers found guilty.
Ani said, “Most of the dismissed officers are also to face prosecution by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.”
The plenary, presided over by PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), also considered proposals for promotions, which have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for action.
Argungu reiterated the Commission’s commitment to swiftly addressing police disciplinary cases to ensure accountability and career advancement for officers who have been exonerated of gross misbehaviour.
He stated that the Commission would no longer allow police intervention in civil affairs such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent disagreements.
“The courts should handle these issues while the police focus on criminal matters and threats to life,” Argungu stated.