The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of 19 senior police officers comprising 10 Assistant Superintendents, six Deputy Superintendents, one Superintendent and two Chief Superintendents.
The Commission also approved the reduction in ranks of 19 other senior police officers consisting of one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents and 13 Assistant Superintendents.
In a statement on Friday, December 6, the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said that the approval was given at the last segment of the Commission’s first plenary meeting in Abuja, with far reaching decisions on 110 pending disciplinary matters and 23 appeals and petition cases, with 13 court judgements seeking compliance.
The statement read that 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.
The plenary meeting, chaired by the PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), had its Honourable Commissioner, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd) and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, in attendance.
An Assistant Inspectors General of Police was given the punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions while another AIG got a letter of warning for negligence.
Several other officers found culpable received different punishments, including severe reprimand, reprimand and letter of warning.
Most of the officers dismissed, according to the statement, are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force.
Three pending disciplinary matters were reportedly stepped down, with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police.
The Commission also considered 23 appeals and petitions, as well as nine legal matters/court judgements.
Speaking, DIG Argungu said that the Commission would henceforth consider police disciplinary matters with despatch, so as to set free police officers not found wanting and allow them to continue with their career progression while those found culpable would serve their punishments.
He warned that the Commission would not spare police officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.
DIG Argungu said that the courts should be allowed to do their duties while the police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life.
