ABUJA, Nigeria — To ensure accountability and ethical conduct within its ranks, the Police Service Commission, PSC, of Nigeria has sanctioned several senior officers for misconduct, according to a statement issued by the Commission.
The disciplinary measures include the dismissal of three officers and the demotion of five others.
The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, announced these decisions on Thursday, July 20, 2023, following the conclusion of the commission’s 21st plenary meeting at its headquarters.
Solomon Arase, the commission’s chairman, presided over the meeting.
“The commission has decided to terminate the services of two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) due to serious misconduct,” Ani stated.
In addition, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent (SP), a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), and two Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) have been demoted for similar reasons.
The PSC’s disciplinary crackdown didn’t stop there. Fourteen officers received a severe reprimand, six received a standard reprimand, and seven others were given official warning letters.
In a display of balanced justice, the PSC also reinstated six officers who had previously been dismissed but had won favourable court judgments or had their cases reviewed favourably.
In a separate development, the commission earlier approved the appointments of two Deputy Inspectors General of Police: Mathew Akinyosola, who retired on July 1 this year, and Slyverster Abiodun Alabi, whose tenure started on the same day.
Alabi now represents the South West in the Police Management Team.
These changes are part of a broader reform effort within the Nigerian Police Force to uphold the highest standards of conduct and accountability.
Mobile Police Force Withdrawn from Former President Buhari’s Relatives, Other VIPS
The Nigerian Federal Government has withdrawn the Police Mobile Force, PMF, personnel who were previously assigned to guard “very important persons”, VIPs, including ex-governors, former ministers, and lawmakers.
This move also affects Daura Buhari, the brother of former President Muhammadu Buhari, former First Lady Aisha Buhari’s sibling, and former secretary to the government of the federation, Boss Mustapha.
This decision follows a recent declaration by the Inspector General (IG) of Police, who vowed to withdraw PMF personnel from VIP escort and guard duties to focus on the country’s internal security architecture.
The IG announced plans to establish a Special Intervention Squad of 40,000 highly trained police officers, including selected officers from the PMF.
IG Egbetokun stated during a meeting with Squadron leaders and Tactical Commanders in Abuja on June 26, 2023, “We shall affect the withdrawal of PMF personnel from VIP escort/guard duties. We must realign our priorities to address the nation’s escalating security challenges.”
The new Special Intervention Squad, consisting of specially trained elite officers, will be formed from existing PMF personnel and tactical units nationwide.
These officers will undergo intensive pre-deployment training to make them combat-ready for operational duties in all states, particularly in areas plagued by unrest.
Egbetokun emphasized, “By pooling together the expertise and experience of our PMF personnel and other tactical units, we can establish a formidable force that is well-equipped to handle the evolving challenges we face.”
To ensure a smooth transition, the IG has set up a committee led by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations), Adeleke Bode, to assess and advise on implementing these new policies.
The government’s commitment to prioritizing national security over individual protection may significantly shift the country’s security paradigm.
