Richard Ginika Izuora
After approving dismissal of seven senior Police Officer over gross misconduct by Police Service Commission, PSC, thevInspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, is moving towards creating conducive working environment for its personnel.
Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, on Tuesday, 4th October 2022, said: “The Commission also approved the reduction in rank of ten other officers.”
The decisions were taken at the on-going 15th Plenary Meeting of the Commission which is expected to end on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.
The dismissed Officers were, one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), a Superintendent of Police (SP) and five Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP). A Superintendent of Police (SP) was also retired in public interest.
The Commission’s Plenary Meeting presided over by Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, JSC (Rtd) considered all the Pending Disciplinary Matters (PDM) before the Commission totalling 47 and also treated some appeals from dismissed Police Officers.
The Commission reduced the ranks of one Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Superintendent of Police (SP), three Superintendents of Police (SP) to Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) to Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP).The Commission further reduced the ranks of four Assistant Superintendents of Police to Inspectors.
Ten senior Police Officers, including an Assistant Commissioner, a Chief Superintendent, a Superintendent and two Deputy Superintendents were given the punishment of Severe reprimand. Five Assistant Superintendents 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.
The Acting Chairman said 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.
Meanwhile, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has effectively completed the construction of over 198 projects including more than 120 modern police stations, barracks and other vital police buildings around the country, as part of efforts to fight crimes and criminality via improved morale-boosting welfare packages and anti-crime psychology of officers, as well as offer policing services in conformity with international best practices.
Force Spokesperson CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, cinfirmed this on Tuesday 4th October, 2022.
Consequently, the IGP shall commence a duty tour of some of the states where these projects have been completed for commissioning starting from Today Tuesday 4th, 2022 to Sunday 9th October, 2022, starting with the Commissioning of the newly constructed Kurudu Divisional Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement: “The states to be visited in no particular order include the Federal Capital Territory, Kaduna, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Borno States, while other projects across the six geopolitical zones will be commissioned as soon as possible.
The Inspector-General of Police reiterates his commitment to ensuring that modern policing realities are emulated and deeply entrenched through modern policing facilities and equipment aimed at improving the professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force, as well as grow a citizen-led and citizen-focused policing system for the Nation building.
The Police boss equally reaffirms that the present leadership of the NPF would continually strive hard to institutionalize and sustain policies that are geared towards providing adequate welfare packages to police personnel in all areas and across board.