The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of 19 senior police officers for various acts of misconduct. This decision, which included sanctions against officers of different ranks, was part of the outcomes of the Commission’s recent plenary meeting held in Abuja.
The dismissed officers comprised 10 Assistant Superintendents, six Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent. The Commission also sanctioned 19 other officers with a reduction in rank.
This group included one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and 13 Assistant Superintendents.
In addition, two Assistant Inspectors General of Police faced disciplinary actions. One received a reprimand for refusing to carry out lawful instructions, while the other was issued a letter of warning for negligence.
The decisions were announced in a statement released by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC. The Commission reviewed 110 pending disciplinary cases, 23 appeals and petitions, and 13 court judgments during its first plenary session chaired by its Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu.
Other notable attendees included retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
The statement highlighted that the Commission also considered and approved recommendations on several promotion matters, which have been forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.
As part of its deliberations, the PSC issued severe reprimands, reprimands, and letters of warning to other officers found culpable of misconduct.
Three pending cases were deferred for additional information from the Inspector General of Police.
The statement added that most of the dismissed officers would face prosecution by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
DIG Argungu emphasized the Commission’s commitment to swiftly addressing disciplinary cases to ensure officers not found guilty can continue their career progression while those found culpable face their penalties.
He also warned police officers to steer clear of civil disputes, such as land, marital, and rent-related issues, advising them to focus on criminal matters and threats to public safety.
