The Police Service Commission has taken decisive action against misconduct within the force, dismissing 18 senior officers and demoting 19 others.
This was disclosed on Friday in a statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani.
The PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu, emphasized that all officers must adhere strictly to established rules and regulations.
The statement outlined the outcomes of the commission’s recent plenary meeting in Abuja, where key disciplinary and administrative decisions were made.
According to Ani, the session addressed 110 pending disciplinary matters, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgments seeking compliance.
The meeting was chaired by DIG Argungu and attended by DIG Taiwo Lakanu, an Honourable Commissioner, and the Commission’s Secretary, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.
Following thorough deliberation, the PSC dismissed 18 senior officers, including ten assistant superintendents, four deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent.
Additionally, 19 others faced demotions, including one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and thirteen Assistant Superintendents.
The commission also disciplined two Assistant Inspectors General of Police. One was reprimanded for failing to carry out lawful instructions, while the other received a warning letter for negligence. Several other officers were sanctioned with punishments such as severe reprimands and warning letters.
“Most of the dismissed officers are also slated for prosecution by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement noted, adding that three disciplinary matters were deferred pending further input from the Inspector General of Police.
On appeals and petitions, the commission reviewed 23 cases and nine court judgments, demonstrating a commitment to addressing grievances and enforcing justice.
Chairman Argungu stressed the importance of expediting disciplinary cases to ensure that officers not found guilty can continue their careers without hindrance.
“The Commission will not spare police officers who indulge in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent-related disputes,” he warned.
He urged officers to focus on criminal cases and threats to life, leaving civil matters to the courts.
“The courts should be allowed to perform their duties while the police concentrate on their core responsibilities,” he stated.
