Police commission dismisses three senior officers, demotes 16 for misconduct

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the dismissal of three senior police officers and the demotion of 16 others after disciplinary proceedings over serious misconduct.

The commission announced the decisions on Wednesday in a statement by its spokesman, Torty Njoku Kalu. The sanctions were agreed at a plenary meeting in Abuja presided over by the PSC chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Salihu Argungu.

In all, 42 officers were sanctioned. Sixteen were demoted, 21 received severe reprimands and two received ordinary reprimands. Three officers were exonerated, and some previously suspended officers were reinstated into the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission said the cases involved serious misconduct and conduct unbecoming of officers of the law. It did not name the affected officers or give details of individual cases.

Why it matters to Nigerians

Complaints against police officers — from bribery at checkpoints to interference in land disputes and abuse of power — are a daily concern for many Nigerians. Disciplinary action against senior officers signals that the force's oversight body is willing to act, though the PSC did not publish details that would let the public judge each case.

The PSC said it has zero tolerance for corruption, human rights abuses, meddling in land and civil matters, and other misconduct. Argungu said cases before the commission would continue to be handled speedily.

He thanked the members who handled the cases and appeals, including the head of the commission's standing committee on discipline and legal matters, retired Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, and other board members.

The PSC said the matters went through departmental, committee and plenary reviews before the decisions were reached.