The Police Service Commission has dismissed four senior police officers and sanctioned 31 others over various acts of misconduct in a major disciplinary exercise aimed at strengthening accountability within the Nigeria Police Force.
The decisions were approved during the Commission’s plenary meeting held at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Njoku Kalu.
The Commission said the four dismissed officers were found guilty of gross misconduct, unprofessional conduct and acts unbecoming of public officers.
As part of the disciplinary measures, 10 senior officers were demoted. Three Superintendents of Police were reduced to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, two Deputy Superintendents of Police were reduced to Assistant Superintendent of Police, while five Assistant Superintendents of Police were demoted to the rank of Inspector.
The Commission also approved the compulsory retirement of two officers in the public interest.
Other sanctions 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 were, however, exonerated after investigations cleared them of wrongdoing.
Chairman of the Commission, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, reaffirmed the Commission’s zero-tolerance policy on indiscipline 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 while the Commission would continue to sanction erring officers, it would also recognise and reward hardworking personnel through its established reward system.
The PSC reiterated its commitment to promoting professionalism, accountability and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
