The Police Service Commission (PSC) has taken significant disciplinary actions against senior officers in the Nigeria Police Force, dismissing 18 officers and reducing the ranks of 19 others in a move to reinforce accountability within the service.
The decisions, which followed the Commission’s first plenary meeting in Abuja, addressed 110 pending disciplinary matters and 23 appeals, alongside 13 court judgments seeking compliance. The plenary, chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu, also saw the presence of DIG Taiwo Lakanu and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.
Among the officers dismissed were 10 Assistant Superintendents, four Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents, and one Superintendent. Additionally, 19 officers had their ranks reduced, including one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and 13 Assistant Superintendents.
Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police were also disciplined: one received a reprimand for failing to carry out lawful instructions, while the other was issued a letter of warning for negligence.
The Commission stressed that most of the dismissed officers will face prosecution by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Meanwhile, three pending disciplinary matters were deferred pending further information from the Inspector General of Police.
In addition to the disciplinary measures, the PSC addressed 23 appeals and petitions, along with nine legal matters and court judgments.
DIG Argungu emphasized that the Commission would continue to handle police disciplinary issues promptly to ensure that officers not found guilty can progress in their careers, while those found culpable face appropriate consequences. He also issued a stern warning against officers engaging in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent disputes, stressing that such matters should be left to the courts. The Commission’s priority, according to DIG Argungu, remains addressing criminal matters and safeguarding citizens’ lives.
The Police Service Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure discipline within the police force highlight its commitment to improving the integrity of the service and fostering a more professional and effective law enforcement system.