The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of four senior police officers over various acts of misconduct, while demoting 10 others as part of measures to strengthen discipline and professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.
The commission also imposed disciplinary sanctions on 31 other officers following its plenary meeting held at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The decisions were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the PSC’s Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Njoku Kalu.
According to the statement, the four officers were dismissed after being found guilty of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct and acts unbecoming of public officers.
“The Police Service Commission has approved the dismissal of four senior police officers and issued a range of disciplinary measures against 31 others following various acts of misconduct.
“The four dismissed officers were found culpable of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct and acts unbecoming of public officers. In addition to the dismissals, the Commission approved a range of disciplinary actions which affected multiple officers. Ten senior officers received reductions in rank,” the statement said.
The commission explained that the demotions affected three Superintendents of Police, who were reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police; two Deputy Superintendents of Police, who were demoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police; and five Assistant Superintendents of Police, who were reduced to the rank of Inspector.
The PSC also approved the compulsory retirement of two officers “in the public interest.”
Other disciplinary measures included severe reprimands for 10 officers, reprimands for five officers, warning letters for three officers and a letter of advice issued to one officer.
Seven officers, however, were cleared of wrongdoing after the commission found no evidence to support the allegations against them.
Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, PSC Chairman and retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, said the commission remained committed to enforcing discipline within the police force.
“The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers. The Commission will continue to uphold discipline in the Force and match all forms of misconduct with commensurate disciplinary actions,” he said.
Argungu added that the commission would continue to recognise and reward officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary service.
“We will also continue to encourage and motivate deserving officers through our established reward system,” he said.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accountability, professionalism and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force through strict enforcement of disciplinary standards.
