The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved a sweeping round of promotions across the senior ranks of the Nigeria Police Force, elevating 13 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in a merit-based exercise aimed at strengthening leadership within the force.
The promotions followed the successful completion of rigorous written examinations and oral interviews conducted at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, reflecting what the PSC described as a renewed commitment to transparency, professionalism, and competence in career progression within the police hierarchy.
According to a statement issued Thursday by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs at the PSC, Torty Njoku Kalu, the list of successful officers has been formally transmitted to the Inspector-General of Police for immediate implementation across relevant commands and formations.
Among those elevated to the prestigious rank of AIG are Emmanuel Ado Christopher, former Commissioner of Police in Yobe State; Joseph Eribo, former CP in Ekiti State; and Dantawaye Miller, who served as CP in the Federal Capital Territory.
Also promoted are Uche Ifeanyi Henry, PhD, who previously served as Director at the NPF National Cyber Crime Centre; Olarenwaju Peter Ogunlowo, former Ogun State CP; Muhammad Dahiru of Jigawa State; Dankombo Morris of Adamawa State; and Bello Shehu of Katsina State.
Others include Ibrahim B. Maikaba of Zamfara State, Ahmed Musa of Sokoto State, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh who served as Lagos State CP, Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, former CP Anti-Fraud FCID Annex Lagos, and Haruna Olufemi, former Commissioner of Police in Oyo State.
In the same promotion exercise, the Commission elevated 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to the rank of Commissioners of Police (CPs), reinforcing the leadership pipeline of the force. The newly promoted CPs include Abdulrahim Audu Shaibu, Abbas Sule, Ojugbele Adebola, Preye Raymond Egbetokun, and Kayode Uthman Magaji.
Others promoted to CP rank are Adebisi Bola Lateef, Markus Ishaku Basiran, Silas Bamidele Aremu, Sylvester Onyie Uzoefuna, Magaji Ismaila, Theodore Chukwuemeka Obasi, Sarah Idowu Ehindero, Hayatu Shaffa Hassan, Mohammed Babakura, Danjuma I. Yahaya and Rebecca Uchenna Okereke.
The Commission also approved the elevation of 19 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), with notable beneficiaries including Rilwan Shaibu, Grace Obiageli Ejiofor, Ibrahim Ada Yusuf, Muazu Imaru Dange, and Samuel Ebikebina Debekeme, among others.
Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), described the promotions as recognition of merit, dedication and outstanding service, urging the officers to justify the confidence reposed in them through greater commitment to effective policing and national security.
Argungu stressed that promotion within the police system must remain strictly merit-driven, warning that officers who fail the promotion examinations are expected to return for subsequent attempts, noting that three unsuccessful attempts could ultimately lead to retirement in line with the Public Service Rules. He further commended members of the PSC Board and the Commission’s leadership for ensuring a transparent and credible exercise aimed at strengthening the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force.