The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 13 Commissioners of Police (CPs) to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) following their successful performance in a rigorous promotion exercise conducted at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission disclosed that the promotions were based on merit after the officers participated in written examinations and oral interviews organised by the PSC as part of its reforms aimed at strengthening professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.
Head, Protocol and Public Affairs of the Commission, Torty Kalu, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, noting that the list of successful officers had already been forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police for immediate implementation.
“The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 13 Commissioners of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police after a comprehensive and transparent promotion exercise conducted at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja,” Kalu said.
He explained that the exercise formed part of the Commission’s efforts to sustain merit-driven career progression within the Nigeria Police Force.
“The successful officers distinguished themselves during the written examinations and oral interviews, which were conducted to ensure that only officers who demonstrated competence, professionalism, and leadership capacity are elevated to higher responsibilities,” he added.
Among those elevated to the rank of AIG are Emmanuel Ado Christopher, former Commissioner of Police in Yobe State; Joseph Eribo, former CP in Ekiti State; Dantawaye Miller, former CP in the Federal Capital Territory; and Uche Ifeanyi Henry, PhD, who previously served as Director of the Nigeria Police National Cyber Crime Center.
Others include Olarenwaju Peter Ogunlowo, former CP in Ogun State; Muhammad Dahiru, former CP in Jigawa State; Dankombo Morris, former CP in Adamawa State; and Bello Shehu, former CP in Katsina State.
Also promoted to the rank of AIG are Ibrahim B. Maikaba, former CP in Zamfara State; Ahmed Musa, former CP in Sokoto State; Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, former CP in Lagos State; Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, former CP at the Anti-Fraud FCID Annex Lagos; and Haruna Olufemi, former CP in Oyo State.
In the same promotion exercise, the Commission elevated 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) to the rank of Commissioners of Police (CPs).
Those promoted include Abdulrahim Audu Shaibu, Commander of the National Inland Waterways Authority Police Command in Lokoja; Abbas Sule of the Department of Foreign Affairs INTERPOL; Ojugbele E. Adebola of Operations, Zone 2 Lagos; and Preye Raymond Egbetokun of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Akwa Ibom Command.
Others are Kayode Uthman Magaji of Community Policing, Research and Planning at Force Headquarters Abuja; Adebisi Bola Lateef of the Department of Foreign Affairs Osun Command; Markus Ishaku Basiran of the Department of Foreign Affairs Zone 6 Calabar; Silas Bamidele Aremu of the Department of Logistics and Supply; and Sylvester Onyie Uzoefuna of Operations, Cross River Command.
The list also includes Magaji Ismaila of Projects at the Police Affairs Bureau, Force Headquarters Abuja; Theodore Chukwuemeka Obasi of the Maritime Unit Lagos; Sarah Idowu Ehindero of the Department of Foreign Affairs Ogun State Command; Hayatu Shaffa Hassan of the State Intelligence Department Abia Command; Mohammed Babakura of the Inspectorate Department; Danjuma I. Yahaya of Operations Zone 12 Bauchi; and Rebecca Uchenna Okereke, the Force Band Master.
Kalu further disclosed that 19 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were elevated to the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), while 35 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs).
According to him, the promotions reflect the Commission’s commitment to strengthening the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force.
“The Commission also approved the promotion of 19 Assistant Commissioners of Police to the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police and 35 Chief Superintendents of Police to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police as part of the ongoing efforts to reinforce the operational capacity and leadership framework of the Nigeria Police Force,” Kalu stated.
Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.), while congratulating the newly promoted officers, described the exercise as a clear demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to merit, transparency, and global best practices.
He urged the officers to see their elevation as a call to greater service and responsibility.
“The promotion is not an end but an opportunity to contribute more to the noble task of safeguarding lives and property,” Argungu said.
He emphasised that the Commission would continue to uphold strict standards in its promotion processes to ensure professionalism within the Force.
“The Commission remains committed to transparency, merit, and adherence to global best practices in all promotion processes. As we say: If you fail, you fail, you return next time to re-sit. After three failures, retirement follows in line with Public Service Rules,” he stated.
Argungu also commended members of the PSC board for their roles in ensuring the success of the exercise.
He specifically praised Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (JSC rtd), Dr. Taiwo Lakanu (DIG rtd), and the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, for their contributions.
“The Commission appreciates the dedication and commitment of its board members and management team whose collective efforts ensured a transparent and credible promotion process,” he said.
Kalu reiterated that the PSC remains committed to strengthening a professional, efficient, and accountable Nigeria Police Force through fair, rigorous, and transparent career progression systems.
