PSC Dismisses Three Senior Police Officers, Demotes 16 Over Misconduct

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of three senior police officers and the demotion of 16 others over various disciplinary offences in a sweeping exercise targeting misconduct within the Nigeria Police Force.

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

Some previously suspended officers were equally reinstated into the Force following the conclusion of their disciplinary cases.

The decisions were taken at the commission’s plenary meeting presided over by its Chairman, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.), at the Solomon Arase Conference Hall, PSC headquarters, Abuja.

The disciplinary action brings to 42 the number of officers sanctioned, excluding the three exonerated and those reinstated.

Reaffirming the commission’s zero-tolerance stance on misconduct, Argungu said the PSC would continue to take decisive action against corruption, human rights violations, interference in land disputes and civil matters, as well as other professional misconduct by police officers.

He assured Nigerians that the commission would sustain the speedy determination of disciplinary cases brought before it to promote accountability and professionalism within the Force.

The PSC chairman commended the Chairman of its Standing Committee on Discipline and Legal Matters, Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (retd.), and other board members for their contributions to the consideration of the cases and appeals.

Those commended included DIG (Dr) Taiwo Lakanu (retd.), Justice Christine Dabup (retd.), Alhaji Abdulfatah Mohammed, Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, and the Director of the Police Discipline Department, Mr Ferdinand U. Ekpe.

The commission said the disciplinary decisions followed considerations at departmental, committee and plenary levels, underscoring its commitment to enforcing professional standards and accountability within the police institution.

The development comes amid continued calls for improved police conduct, respect for human rights and stronger internal mechanisms to address abuses of authority by law enforcement personnel.