Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) are facing rebuke over acts of indiscipline, the Police Service Commission (PSC) said in a statement on Friday, December 6, 2024, by its Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani.
Ani said in a statement: “Two Assistant Inspectors General of Police also received some punishments, one, punishment of reprimand for refusal to carry out lawful instructions and the other, letter of warning for negligence,” adding that the decisions were taken at the last segment of the Commission’s first Plenary Meeting in Abuja.
But the statement was however silent on the identifies of the two AIGs involved.
The PSC also announced the dismissal of 18 Senior Police Officers comprising 10 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP), four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) and one Superintendent.
The Commission also approved the reduction in ranks of 19 other Senior Police Officers, including one Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), one CSP, two Superintendents, two DSPs and 13 ASPs.
The statement Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations at PSC, said the decisions were taken at the last segment of the Commission’s first Plenary Meeting in Abuja “with far reaching decisions on one hundred and nine (110) Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM), and twenty three (23) Appeals and petition cases with thirteen (13) court judgements seeking for compliance.”
He disclosed that the Commission made the decisions “after rigorous consideration of the Pending Disciplinary Matters before it.”
The Plenary Meeting, according to the statement, was chaired by Commission Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, “and had DIG Taiwo Lakanu rtd, fdc, Honourable Commissioner and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani also present.”
Ani, who said that several other officers found culpable received different punishments including severe Reprimand, Reprimand and letter of warning, noted: “Most of the Officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending Disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police.
“The Commission also considered 23 Appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements.
“The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu, said the Commission will henceforth consider Police Disciplinary matters with dispatch so as to free Police Officers who are not found wanting to continue with their career progression and those found culpable to serve their punishments.
“He warned that the Commission will not spare Police Officers who indulge in civil matters like land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.
“DIG Argungu said the courts should be allowed to do their duties while the Police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life.”