PSC Dismisses 19 Senior Police Officers, Demotes 19 Others Over Misconduct

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has sanctioned 38 senior police officers for various forms of misconduct, approving the dismissal of 19 officers and the demotion of 19 others.

The dismissed officers include 10 assistant superintendents, 6 deputy superintendents, 2 chief superintendents, and 1 superintendent. Additionally, 19 officers faced demotion, comprising one assistant commissioner of police, one chief superintendent, two superintendents, two deputy superintendents, and 13 assistant superintendents.

Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC spokesperson, further revealed that two assistant inspectors-general of police received punitive measures: one was reprimanded for failing to carry out lawful instructions, while the other was issued a letter of warning for negligence. Ani added that several other officers received varied punishments, such as severe reprimands, reprimands, and letters of warning.

“Most of the officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the legal unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police,” Ani stated.

The PSC also considered 23 appeals and petitions, as well as nine legal matters and court judgments.

Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), assured that police disciplinary cases would henceforth be handled swiftly to enable officers without fault to advance their careers and ensure that those found guilty serve appropriate penalties.

He emphasized that the commission would not tolerate police officers becoming involved in civil disputes such as land, marital, or rent-related issues.

DIG Argungu also highlighted that courts should be allowed to handle such matters, while the police focus more on criminal offenses and protecting citizens from threats to life.