The Police Service Commission has dismissed 18 senior police officers for various offenses and demoted 19 others as part of disciplinary actions to ensure accountability within the force.
In a statement released on Friday, PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani said the dismissals and rank reductions were part of decisions made during the Commission’s latest plenary meeting held in Abuja.
The dismissed officers include ten Assistant Superintendents of Police, four Deputy Superintendents of Police, two Chief Superintendents of Police, and one Superintendent of Police. Meanwhile, those demoted include one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one CSP, two SPs, two DSPs, and 13 ASPs.
According to Ani, the Commission also handled 110 Pending Disciplinary Matters, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgments seeking compliance. “Most of the officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
The Commission noted that other officers found guilty of lesser offenses were issued severe reprimands, reprimands, or letters of warning. Three disciplinary cases were postponed pending additional information from the Inspector General of Police.
The meeting, chaired by PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu (Rtd), included the participation of DIG Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), Honourable Commissioner, and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, the Secretary to the Commission.
DIG Argungu emphasized the importance of timely resolution of disciplinary matters. “The Commission will henceforth consider police disciplinary matters with dispatch to ensure that officers not found guilty can progress in their careers, while those found culpable face appropriate punishments,” he said.
Argungu also warned officers to avoid engaging in civil disputes such as land, marital, or rent-related issues, stressing that such cases are for the courts to handle. “The Police should focus on criminal matters and threats to life,” he added.
The PSC said recommendations on various promotions had also been approved and sent to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
