PSC dismisses three senior police officers, demotes 16 others

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of three senior police officers and the demotion of 16 others over misconduct.

The commission’s spokesperson, Torty Kalu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the PSC also approved “severe reprimands” for 21 officers and “ordinary reprimands” for two others.

Three officers were exonerated, while some previously suspended officers were reinstated into the Nigeria Police Force, Mr Kalu stated.

He said the decisions were reached at the commission’s plenary meeting held at its headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. The meeting was presided over by the commission’s chairman, Hashimu Argungu, a retired deputy inspector-general of police.

The commission did not disclose the identities of the dismissed and demoted officers or provide details of the specific misconduct established against them.

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However, the commission’s spokesperson stated that Mr Argungu reaffirmed the PSC’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, human rights abuses, interference in land and civil matters, and other forms of misconduct within the police.

Mr Argungu also “assured” the public that the commission would continue to ensure the speedy resolution of disciplinary cases before it.

He commended members of the commission’s Standing Committee on Discipline and Legal Matters and other officials for their work in reviewing disciplinary cases and appeals.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the PSC is the legal body saddled with the promotion and discipline of senior police officers across Nigeria.