Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
THE Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of four senior police officers and imposed a raft of disciplinary measures on thirty-one others following findings of gross misconduct and unprofessional behaviour.
The decisions, contained in a statement issued by the Commission’s Head of Press and Protocols, Torty Njoku Kalu, were reached during the PSC’s plenary meeting at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
The four officers who lost their jobs were found culpable of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct, and acts unbecoming of public officers, the Commission said.
Beyond the dismissals, the PSC approved a range of sanctions affecting multiple ranks.
Ten senior officers received reductions in rank: three Superintendents of Police were demoted to Deputy Superintendents of Police, two Deputy Superintendents were reduced to Assistant Superintendents, and five Assistant Superintendents were downgraded to Inspectors.
Two officers were also compulsorily retired in the public interest.
Other disciplinary measures included severe reprimands issued to ten officers, reprimands to five officers, warning letters to three officers, and a letter of advice to one officer. In a separate development, seven officers were exonerated and cleared of any wrongdoing.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), mni, reiterated the Board’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline within the Nigeria Police Force.
“The current Board of the PSC under my watch will not condone any form of misconduct by police officers,” DIG Argungu declared. “The Commission will continue to uphold discipline in the Force and match all forms of misconduct with commensurate disciplinary actions. We would also continue to encourage and motivate hard work for deserving officers through our established reward system.”
The PSC reaffirmed its commitment to entrenching accountability, professionalism, and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the latest sanctions serve as a clear warning that breaches of conduct would be met with appropriate penalties.
