PSC dismisses three senior police officers, demotes 16

The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of three senior police officers and the demotion of 16 others over alleged misconduct and conduct unbecoming of officers of the law.

The commission also approved severe reprimands for 21 officers, ordinary reprimands for two others, while three officers were exonerated.

It further disclosed that some previously suspended officers had been reinstated into the Nigeria Police Force.

The decisions were reached during the commission’s plenary meeting presided over by its Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.), at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Kalu on its Facebook page, the PSC reaffirmed its commitment to addressing misconduct and enforcing discipline within the Police Force.

The statement read, “The dismissal of the three senior officers followed established cases of serious misconduct and conduct unbecoming of members of the Force.”

Reaffirming the commission’s zero tolerance for corruption, human rights abuses and other forms of misconduct, Argungu assured Nigerians that disciplinary matters would continue to receive prompt attention.

The statement quoted the PSC chairman as reaffirming the commission’s commitment to the “zero tolerance for corruption, human rights abuses, meddling in land and civil matters, and other acts of misconduct in the Force.”

Argungu also assured the public of the Commission’s determination to ensure the speedy resolution of disciplinary cases brought before it.

The chairman commended members of the PSC Standing Committee on Discipline and Legal Matters, led by retired Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, for their contributions to the consideration of disciplinary cases and appeals.

Other officials commended included retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, retired Justice Christine Dabup, Alhaji Abdulfatah Mohammed, the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, and the Director of the Police Discipline Department, Mr Ferdinand U. Ekpe.

The commission said their dedication and commitment contributed to the consideration of the cases at departmental, committee and plenary levels.

The latest disciplinary action forms part of the PSC’s efforts to strengthen accountability, professionalism and discipline within the Nigeria Police Force.