Nigeria’s Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday dismissed seven senior police officers over gross misconduct.
The Commission also approved the reduction in rank of 10 other officers.
The decisions were taken during the continuation of the 15th plenary meeting of the Commission which is expected to end on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.
The meeting, presided over by its acting chairman, Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the Commission.
The meeting treated PDMs, which totalled 47, including some appeals from dismissed Police Officers.
Spokesperson of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani, told journalists that the dismissed officers include: one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), one Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASPs).
Ani added that one SP was also retired in public interest.
In the same vein, Ani stated that the Commission reduced the ranks of o CSP to SP, three SPs to DSP, and two DSPs to ASPs.
The Commission further reduced the ranks of four ASPs to Inspectors.
Ten senior Police Officers, including an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), a CSP, a SP and two DSPs were given the punishment of Severe reprimand. Five ASPs were also awarded the punishment of severe reprimand.
Thirteen officers received the punishment of reprimand; two are to receive letters of warning while four officers were exonerated.
Ani quoted Justice Ogunbiyi as saying the Commission would henceforth give the desired attention to Pending Disciplinary Matters so that those found guilty are punished immediately while those found not guilty are cleared to continue with their career progression.
Justice Ogunbiyi called on Police Officers to ensure they operate within established rules and avoid taking laws into their hands.
She said the Commission will continue to work to sustain a professional Police Force that operates in line with the established rules and regulations and in conformity with international best practices.