The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 775 senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force to higher ranks across the country.
The commission said the promotions followed a rigorous process involving written examinations and oral interviews, which were concluded on December 17 at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. The exercise was overseen by the PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Salihu Argungu.
Among those elevated is Assistant Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Usman Gumel, who was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Before his elevation, he served as the AIG in charge of the Community Policing Project in the Department of Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The commission also promoted seven Commissioners of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police. They include Ihebom Chukwuma of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja; Maxwell Olatokunbo of the K9 Unit; Olufemi Abaniwonda of Delta State Command; Alonyenu Francis Idu of Bayelsa State Command; Lawal B. Ayodeji of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, FCID Annex Lagos; Agene Emmanuel of FCID Kaduna; and Vungmoh S. M. Kwaimo of the Railway Command.
In addition, 13 Deputy Commissioners of Police were elevated to Commissioners of Police. Those promoted include Babalola Ayodeji Johnson of the NPF National Cybercrime Centre; Ali Umar Fage of the DFA, Port Authority Lagos; Cyril Uche Obiozo, Deputy Commissioner Administration, Cross River Command; Adepegba K. Adetoye, Deputy Commissioner Administration, Edo Command; Tabitha Bako of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, FCID; Ofem Ikpi Arikpo of Bayelsa Command; Edwin Ogbeghagha of Zone 17, Akure; Audu Garba Bosso of Borno State Command; Samuel Yerima Gimba of Benue State Command; Mohammed Danladi of Taraba State Command; Richard Bala Gara of DFA, Nasarawa; Lasisi Adekunle Titilola of the X-Squad, FID Lagos; and John Obiuagbaka of the Police Staff College, Jos.
Thirty Assistant Commissioners of Police were promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police, while 51 Chief Superintendents of Police were elevated to Assistant Commissioners of Police.
The commission also approved the promotion of 542 Superintendents of Police to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police, 119 Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents of Police, and 12 Assistant Superintendents of Police to Deputy Superintendents of Police.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs, Torty Njoku Kalu, the PSC confirmed that the promotions cut across various formations and commands nationwide.
Congratulating the beneficiaries, the PSC Chairman urged them to see their elevation as a call to greater responsibility and dedication to national service. He stressed that promotion comes with higher expectations and charged the officers to remain committed to effective policing, protection of lives and property, and the maintenance of law and order.
Argungu also reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to regular, merit-based promotions in line with global best practices.
