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Tag: Police Service Commission

  • Taraba, Anambra get new CP

    Taraba, Anambra get new CP

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of Chukwudi Chris Ariekpere from Abia State as the new Commissioner of Police for Taraba State. He takes over from CP Peter Oparah while Livingstein Ikioye Orutugu from Bayelsa State takes over the Anambra State Command from Obong Nnache Itam.

    A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), said the new commissioners should settle down to their new posts and ensure there was no gap that might necessitate a break down of law and order.

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    He charged the new CPs to be committed to duty and ensure that Nigeria is freed from bandits and deviants.

    He said the commission will continue to monitor their conduct and ensure they succeed.

  • New CPs for Nasarawa, Rivers, Ondo, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna

    New CPs for Nasarawa, Rivers, Ondo, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Kaduna

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointments and postings of six new commissioners of police (CPs).

    The commission said the appointments and postings followed the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) which it announced last week.

    In the new appointments, CP Shettima Jauro Mohammed was posted to the Nasarawa State Police Command; Rabin Mohammed, now CP for Kaduna State Command, and Adepoju Olugbenga Adewale was posted to Rivers State Command.

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    Others are: Mohammed Baba Azare, now CP, Akwa Ibom State Command; Wilfred Olatokunbo Afolabi, new CP Ondo State Command, and Joseph Eribo, former police commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, now the new CP Ekiti State Command.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the commission’s Chairman, Hashimu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), urged the new appointees to see their appointments as a call to national service.

  • JUST IN: PSC promotes 78 top police officers

    JUST IN: PSC promotes 78 top police officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 78 senior police officers, including 21 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), and 57 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to ACPs.

    The promotions were approved during the second Plenary Meeting of the PSC, held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024.

    The meeting followed the approval on Monday, December 16, 2024, for the promotion of 11 Commissioners of Police to Assistant Inspectors General and 16 Deputy Commissioners to substantive Commissioners.

    The new commissioners also included former DCP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, DCP Admin and Finance, Jigawa State Command. 

    He was the immediate past Head of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit and was once, Deputy Commissioner Operations, Zone 7, Abuja. 

    According to a statement issued by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani: “At today’s Plenary, the Officers were also subjected to Written and oral examinations. During the oral interview, issues such as problems of logistics and manpower were identified as one of the manifest handicaps in most of the Police Departments, Zones, States, Areas and Divisional Commands. The Officers pleaded that such issues should be attended to in the overall interest of the functionality of the Nigeria Police Force.

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    “The Assistant Commissioners of Police elevated to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners were, Christopher  Bassey Uweh, Area Commander,  Ihiala, Anambra state; Abdulrahaman Usman, AC Ops, Zone 2 Lagos; Baba Mallam Alhaji, Area Commander, Agbara, Ogun State; Aminu Ado Aliyu, Commander 59 PMF Bajoga; Salau Mohammed Jimoh, Area Commander Ikoli Ekiti; Mohammed  Lariski Musa, BPU, Kwara state; Makuliso Baba Umar, Area Commander Kontagora, Niger state; Shaibu Bello, INEC Headquarters, Abuja;  Lawrence Iwodi, Area Commander Ayetoro, Ogun state; Arabia Ashe Mohammed, DFA, Nasarawa  state; Ali Garba Agbo, Welfare, Force Headquarters Abuja; Halilu Muawiyah Commander 51 PMF Oghara; Sani JA’Afar Ahmed, Area Commander, Gusau, Zamfara state Ado Ibrahim, SCID, Delta State Command; Abubakar Ardo, Commander 35 PMF, Dutse; Mohammed Usman Modibbo, Assistant Director OPS, North Central zone; Yusuf S. Taiwo, Area Commander Ilesha, Osun State and Bashiru Abdullahi, Area Commander, Tambuwal, Sokoto State. Ahmadu Bello Garba, DFA, Zone 4 Makurdi; Paul Dung, State CID, Enugu and David Nonyelum Osuani; Area Commander Ogidi, Anambra state were also promoted to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police.

    “The 57 Chief Superintendents of Police promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police include; Ezeala Daniel Ezeala; Tamarauebi Timpa; Toyin Ahmed Sulyman. DPO, Abacha Road, Mararaba Plateau State; Mohammed Sani Abubakar; Marcus Michael Tarfa Interpol FCIID, Abuja; Uba Shehu; Elijah Eleke; John Inyang; Ochomo ThankGod; Abimbola Tokunbo Abaniwonda; Oluseyi Olabisi Cletus-Ilobanafor; Ahmed Usman Muhammed; Okezie Daniel Iroakazi; Emeka Emmanuel Adigwe; Suraju Kehinde Oyewole; Abubakar Yusuf; Hassan Khalil Ibrahim; William Robinson  Odumu, DPO Anambra State and Glory Gabriel Otonko, Force Intelligence Bureau, Enugu State.

    “Alex Sani Gwazah, Matilda Ugowe, Hamman Aminu and Aboyemi Gbenga were also some of the CSPs promoted to ACPs. 

    “The week-long plenary meeting, the last for the year was presided over by commission chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni and had in attendance Justice Paul Galumje retired, Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner in the Commission and DIG Taiwo Lekanu rtd, fdc, also Honourable Commissioner in the Commission. The Meeting continues tomorrow, Wednesday, December 18th 2024.”

  • JUST IN: PSC sacks 19 officers over misconduct 

    JUST IN: PSC sacks 19 officers over misconduct 

    …warns officers  to operate within established rules and regulations 

    The Police Service Commission (PSC), has approved the dismissal of   Eighteen (19) senior Police Officers which comprised ten Assistant Superintendents, six Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents and one Superintendent.

    The Commission also approved the reduction in ranks of Nineteen other senior Police Officers, one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents,  two Deputy Superintendents and thirteen  Assistant Superintendents. 

    Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police also received some punishments, one, punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions and the other, letter of warning for negligence.

    A statement issued on Friday by the Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani said: “The Police Service Commission rose from the last segment of its first Plenary Meeting in Abuja, with far reaching decisions on one hundred and nine (110) Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), and twenty  three (23) Appeals and petition cases with thirteen (13) court judgements seeking for compliance

    “The Commission had earlier considered and  approved recommendations on several promotion matters which had since been conveyed to the Inspector General of Police for implementation. 

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    “The Plenary Meeting was chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni and had DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission,  Chief Onyemuche Nnamani also present.

    “The Commission after rigorous consideration of the Pending Disciplinary Matters before it,  approved the dismissal of   Eighteen (19) senior Police Officers which comprised ten Assistant Superintendents, six Deputy Superintendents, two Chief Superintendents and one Superintendent.

    “Several other Officers found culpable received different punishments including,  severe Reprimand, Reprimand and letter 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”.

    The Commission also considered 23 Appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements. 

    Ani said the Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu said the Commission will henceforth consider Police Disciplinary matters with dispatch so as to free Police Officers who are not found wanting to continue with their career progression and those found culpable to serve their punishments. 

    He warned that the Commission will not spare Police Officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes. 

    DIG Argungu said the courts should be allowed to do their  duties while the Police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life.

  • Reps Committee seeks to strengthen police service commission for effective oversight

    Reps Committee seeks to strengthen police service commission for effective oversight

    The House of Representatives Committee on Police Institutions has begun efforts to address challenges facing the Police Service Commission (PSC) and explore ways to enhance its functionality. 

    During a visit to the PSC headquarters, the committee emphasized that its initiative would improve its oversight role over the police, ensuring better performance and accountability. 

    Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya, Chairman of the committee and leader of the delegation, highlighted the importance of civilian oversight of law enforcement, stating, “It is an indispensable mechanism for promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in law enforcement institutions.” 

    A statement issued on Wednesday by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, quoted Boya as advocating for strengthening the Commission’s authority and capacity to fulfill its mandate effectively.

    “He told the Commission’s management that to function effectively, there is a need to provide adequate budgetary provisions, legal backing, and operational independence for the Commission.

    “The Committee Chairman said he is aware of the financial challenges the Commission is facing and said he has discussed it with his colleague in the Appropriation Committee.

    “Hon Boyo commended the Commission Chairman for the innovative programmes he introduced since his assumption of duty, stressing that the “Arena of Knowledge” lecture series was a demonstration of his commitment to improved staff knowledge, productivity, and efficiency towards service delivery.

    “He also commended the Chairman for his astute leadership, prudent management of resources, and forthrightness in repositioning the Commission.

    “The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, who received the visiting delegation at the Corporate Headquarters of the Commission expressed his happiness at the decision of the Committee to visit the Commission. 

    “DIG Argungu noted that the visit was timely and remarkable and appealed for the support of the Committee in ensuring adequate budgetary provision for the Commission.

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    “The PSC Chairman said the constitutional responsibilities 9f the Commission have suffered due to financial incapacitation.

    “He assured the Committee of the Preparedness of the Commission to improve the services of the Nigeria Police Force through credible and efficient oversight.

    “DIG Argungu said the new leadership of the Commission has zero tolerance for Corruption and has launched the whistle-blowing Policy stressing that these programmes would remain the benchmark for its oversight of the Police.

    “DIG Taiwo Lekanu, Honourable Commissioner in the Commission and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani Secretary to the Commission were in the Chairman’s team that received the visiting delegation”.

  • PSC moves four CPs to state commands

    PSC moves four CPs to state commands

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday approved the postings of four commissioners of police (CPs) to head state commands across the country.

    CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, who was recently moved to the Rivers State command, has been returned as Delta State police commissioner.

    CP Peter Ukachi Opara has been deployed to the Cross Rivers State command.

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    A statement yesterday in Abuja by PSC’s Head Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said: “CP Mustapha Mohammed Bala from Katsina State has been posted to Rivers State, while Gyogon Augustine Grimah from Nasarawa State has been posted to Kaduna State Command.”

    The approval for the postings, he said, had been conveyed to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for implementation, according to a letter by PSC Chairman Hashimu Argungu, a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG).

  • PSC promotes 8 CPs, 676 other senior officers

    PSC promotes 8 CPs, 676 other senior officers

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of eight Commissioners of Police (CP) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and 676 other senior officers to their new ranks.

    Mr Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations of PSC, said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the eight promoted CPs were Benneth Igwe, Suleiman Abdul, Augustina Ogbodo, Stephen Olanrewaju, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, Fayoade Mustapha, Adegboyega Adegboye and Mohammed Labbo.

    Ani said 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) were promoted to the rank of CP while 52 Chief Superintendents of Police were promoted to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACP).

    According to him, 525 Superintendents of Police (SP) were promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) while 84 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to SP.

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    The PSC spokesman said the eight CPs and 15 DCP were subjected to some form of assessment and examination, a condition now precedent for their promotion to the new ranks.

    He said the decisions were reached at the first Plenary Meeting of the new Board of the commission, presided over by the Chairman, Mr Hashimu Argungu.

    Ani said the PSC boss had enjoined the newly promoted officers to engage in deliberate self-development through constant knowledge acquisition to be better equipped to face the challenges of 21st century policing.

    Argungu said police officers would henceforth be subjected to formal examination before consideration for the promotion, adding that it was a requirement for promotion in civil service as stipulated in the civil service rule.

    The PSC chairman said police officers would not be an exemption, adding that promotion in the police would continue to be merit based and predictable.

    He assured that the Commission will not for any reason delay the promotion of deserving Officers but insisted that it must be earned.

    Argungu congratulated the newly promoted officers, adding that the promotion was a call for greater dedication to the service of their fatherland.

    He urged the officers to be deliberate, committed and focused in the fight against insurgency and banditry in the country.

    (NAN)

  • PSC okays promotion of 7,194 Inspectors to ASPII

    PSC okays promotion of 7,194 Inspectors to ASPII

    • Arugungu calls for greater commitment to duty

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 7,194 Inspectors of Police (Insps.) to the next rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP II).

    The officers are products of the recently concluded Inspectors Board interview which held in all the police zonal command headquarters across the country.

    PSC Chairman Hashimu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), congratulated the newly promoted officers but reminded them that their new ranks imposed on them a burden of greater commitment to national duty.

    Argungu said the promotion came at the right time when they were expected to be properly motivated to put in their best in the service of their fatherland.

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    The PSC chairman stressed that Nigeria was undergoing some positive restructuring which could happen with temporary discomfort and people’s anger.

    He advised the officers to join hands at preserving the nation’s nascent democracy.

    Argungu said the commission would continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) remained timely and predictable, adding that the gesture should not be taken for granted.

    The PSC urged the officers to reciprocate the gesture by conducting themselves within established laws and ensuring that banditry and terrorism were eliminated.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by PSC’s Head of the Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, reads: “The newly promoted officers are: Ejiogu Eunice, Tiedei Deizigha, Falade Kayode, Agorua Chinedu, Noel Atuwa, Simon Oguche, Mohammed Maikuma, Somalia Maisamari, A’aron Gama’Àiki, and Adesina Bosede.

    Others are: Otoboh Theophilus, Olaifa Idowu, Abdullahi Yari, Labaran Musa, Benedict Mamman, and Gaiyu Sharafa.

    Inspectors Maureen Odogie, Oboh Samuel George, Anthony Oliver, Amos Noku, Justin Boniface, Cleopas Kosulo and Daniel Eneche were also promoted to the next rank.

    The commission’s approval has been conveyed to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun for implementation.

  • Scrap Police Service Commission

    Scrap Police Service Commission

    SIR: Boko Haram Insurgency, Terrorism, Herders violent attacks on farmers, ethnic separatists’ movement, kidnapping, hard drug abuse have turned Nigeria to Thomas Hobbes’s state of nature where “life is short, nasty and brutish”.  Some sociologist and criminologist label Nigeria as a dysfunctional society where nothing is working. Could this be the reason for constant squabble, row and sharp disagreement between Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police, one may ask rhetorically.

    The other day, government mooted the idea of collapsing or merging ministries, departments and agencies of government that are considered – duplication. I think the Police Service Commission fits into the above description. If so, let PSC be scrapped or be merged with the Ministry of Police Affairs. There are too many governmental bodies supervising the Nigeria Police amongst which are Police Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, etc. Too many cooks, they say spoil the broth. Is this not true in the circumstance of PSC’s constant imbroglio with the Nigeria Police Force?

    Is there any value that Police Service Commission has added to the operational trajectory or intelligence gathering aspect of Nigeria Police?

    During successive military regimes when there was no PSC, there was no administrative/operational tardiness in policing. Police were known for gallantry, smartness and operational efficiency. Unnecessary bureaucracy, political, and administrative bottleneck did not hinder quick (official/operational) relationships of the then IGPs with the Head of State. 

    The Ministry of Police Affairs, which still exists till date was the only body liaising with the federal government on policy, politics and administrative/operational matters on behalf of the police force. Hiring, discipline, training and promotions were left in the hands of the Nigeria Police leadership. Office of the National Security Adviser was there to convey government policy on national security to the IGP. You can now agree with me that PSC is superfluous and unnecessary, especially in this period of hydra-headed monster of terrorism, Boko Haram insurgency and other violent crimes plaguing our nation.

    Police Service Commission defence for continuous sharp disagreement with Nigeria police is that 1999 Nigeria constitution paragraph 30, part 1 of the Third schedule gave it, PSC constitutional backing to recruit, train, discipline and promote all cadre of policemen and women – with the exception of Inspector General of Police. Nigeria Police being a professional para-military organization ought to hire or recruit candidates on its own without supervision or interference of PSC. For an example, is it wise and logical to mandate a council of medical practitioners to regulate employment of lawyers of ministry of justice as state counsels/prosecutors? If it is not wise and logical to do so, what then was the Olympian wisdom of the 1999 Nigeria constitution makers – giving PSC powers to take over para-military recruitment of persons into police force?

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    I consider Nigeria constitution as the greatest law regulating the activities of Nigerians, politics and governance. Be that as it may, certain part of this constitution can be amended or abrogated in public interest and in favour of national security. It is only the COSMIC LAW made by God Almighty that could not be changed or abrogated.

    What is the wisdom in giving PSC powers to promote para-military men (policemen) that are not directly, daily or weekly or monthly working under the supervision of the PSC? Personnel/human resources professionals will give appropriate answer to this.

    My contention is not about the legality or constitutional right of PSC to be or not to be – but it usefulness and relevance vis-a-vis the current state of insecurity in Nigeria as we already have Ministry of Police Affairs – to handle those things PSC is currently handling, apart from promotion, discipline and training.

    • Osung Edet, DSP (rtd), Abuja.
  • Police Service Commission promotes 1607 DSPs

    Police Service Commission promotes 1607 DSPs

    … Arase says commission has restored dignity of specialists’ cadre

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 1607 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to the next rank of Superintendents.

    PSC had earlier stepped down the consideration of the officers’ promotion at its last management meeting where other recommendations were considered when it noticed some discrepancies in the list.

    The promotion of the DSPs to SPs saw the elevation of 158 Officers in the Professional cadre which included 105 in the Communication unit, 22 in Transport, 10 Medical officers, nine Nurses, and another nine from Works.

    Other professionals promoted to Superintendents were six Workshop Officers, three Maritime, and one each from Medical and Dental units and Band.

    A total number of 1423 DSPs were promoted in the General Duty cadre.

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    The chairman of the commission, Solomon Arase, said the commission has restored the dignity of the Specialists cadre in the Nigeria Police Force.

    According to the statement issued by the Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC boss said the Commission will continue to give equal opportunities to all cadres in the Nigeria Police Force adding that the era where Specialists are stagnated in one rank is now history.

    He noted that the Nigeria Police Force needs specialists for efficient and effective Policing and promised that the Commission will continue to accord them the required privileges.

    Ani also noted that the General Duty Officers will continue to receive the support of the Commission in the area of prompt and regular promotions.

    He challenged the newly promoted officers to reciprocate the Commission’s gesture by rededicating themselves to the service of the nation.

    Arase warned that the Commission will not hesitate to discipline any of the Officers who undermine the ethics, rules and regulations guiding their conduct.

    He also warned them to stay clear of land matters and recovery of rents and other minor issues that can be resolved through alternative dispute resolution or legal processes.

    Arase said: “You need to concentrate on helping the nation win this war against insurgency and banditry and also remember that the Police is the lead Agency in internal security.”

    Some of the promoted Officers are the Public Relations officers for Anambra and Delta states, Tochukwu Anthony Ikenganyia and Bright Edafe. Others are Clement Ominiyi Awoyemi, Salami Ganiyu, Dogo Mathew, Finedon Akah, Attahiru Umar, Adamu Wakili, Constance Katu Ekeh, Nuhu Danjuma and Yaha Bashir.

    The list also includes Iwuji Barnabas Iliya, ADC to the Rivers State Governor; Samson Ekeinde, Officer in charge, Safer Highway, Bayelsa State Command; Clement Gladys C, Lagos Command; Usman Nureni and Adibeli Joy.

    Enoch Suleiman, Officer in charge of Surveillance, Zone 5 Benin; Sidi Umar Ahmad, Technical Assistant to the DIG Training and Head of IGP Smart Force Management and Data Base Centre; Patrick Chinwe Anike, Divisional Crime Officer 1, 9th-mile Division, Enugu State Command; Ben Orih, Unit Commander 28 PMF, Umuahia; Nwanaga Innocent Okpuru, OPTS Officer, SPU BASE 28 Owerri, Imo state; Isa y. Ladan, Department of Operations, Rivers State Command and Moses Omale were some of the other DSPs that got the Commission’s approval for promotion to the next rank of Superintendents.

    The approval, he said has been officially communicated to the Inspector General of Police for implementation.