Police Commission Chairman Argungu stressed the need for prompt resolution of disciplinary cases to ensure that innocent officers can continue their career progression while guilty ones face justice.
Abuja, Nigeria – The Police Service Commission (PSC) has dismissed 19 senior police officers over allegations of gross misconduct, according to an announcement made on Friday.
The disciplinary action was taken following investigations into various petitions against the affected officers.
At a plenary session in Abuja chaired by Hashimu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and the commission’s chairman, the PSC also demoted 19 other officers for involvement in various offenses.
The dismissed officers include 10 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs), and one Superintendent of Police (SP).
The PSC spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, revealed that disciplinary actions were also taken against two Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs). One AIG was reprimanded for refusing to carry out a lawful order, while the other received a warning letter for negligence of duty.
The ranks of 19 other officers were reduced, including one Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), two Superintendents of Police (SPs), two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), and 13 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs). Additional punishments ranged from severe reprimands to warnings, Ani said.
The dismissed officers are expected to face prosecution, according to Ani. The PSC has also stepped down three pending disciplinary cases, requesting additional information from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
During the plenary, the commission addressed 23 appeals and petitions, as well as nine legal matters and court judgments.
Police Commission Chairman Argungu stressed the need for prompt resolution of disciplinary cases to ensure that innocent officers can continue their career progression while guilty ones face justice. He also issued a stern warning to officers involved in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent-related disputes, emphasizing that such cases should be handled by the courts.
“The Police should focus on criminal matters and threats to life, leaving civil disputes to the judiciary,” Argungu stated.
The PSC reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline within the police force to uphold professionalism and public trust.
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