Police Shake-Up: 93 Senior Officers Get New Ranks, 13 CPs Hit AIG Level

The Police Service Commission, PSC, has approved the promotion of 93 senior police officers to higher ranks in what observers describe as one of the most significant elevation exercises in recent times within the Nigeria Police Force.

The promotions, approved at the Commission’s Plenary Meeting held on Wednesday at its headquarters in Abuja, followed the successful completion of written examinations and oral interviews conducted for the affected officers.

At the apex of the exercise, 13 Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, while 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCPs, were promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police, CP.

The newly promoted AIGs include Itam Nnaghe Obono, Commissioner of Police, Counter Terrorism Unit; Bassey Samuel Ewah, CP Plateau State Command; Osagie John Agans-Irabor, CP FCID Lagos; Monday Agbonika, CP Edo State Command; Iyamah Daniel Adebor, CP Bayelsa State Command; Isa Danladi Nda, CP Abia State Command; Akaninyene Ezima, Director, NPF-NCCC; Livingstein Ikioye Orutugu, CP Anambra State Command; Afegbua B. Rashid, CP Cross River State Command; Edozie Hycenth Azuka, CP AML/CFT, FCID; Haruna Alaba Yahaya, CP Jigawa State Command; Emenari Ifeanyi Innocent, CP Benue State Command; and Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, CP Welfare.

Also elevated to the rank of Commissioner of Police are Nelson Nwamanna, formerly Deputy Commissioner, CID Zone 11; Bolanle A. Murtala, DC Operations, Ogun State; Danbaba Mohammed Labbo, DC Litigation; Ajayi Oluyemi, DC CID Zone 7; Oki Rita Oyintare, DC Gender; Ibrahim Umar Zungura, DC FCID Abuja; Iya Umar Mohammed, DC X-Squad FCID Lagos; Darma Nuhu Na’aliyu, DC CID Sokoto; Nuruddeen A. Sabo, DC Operations Kaduna; Tijjani Murtala, DC Operations Jigawa; Yakubu Mohammed, DC DFA Benue State; Ibrahim Lukunche Usman, DC Operations Zone 15; Akingbade C. Adeyinka, DC CID Ondo; Mohammed Hassan Ahmed, DC Operations Bauchi; Samuel Erale Ahmed, DC Community Safety; Adedeji Taiwo, DC ZCID Zone 1 Kano; and Zainab A. Pembi of the Force Intelligence Department.

The Commission also approved the promotion of 28 Assistant Commissioners of Police, ACPs, to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP.

Among the beneficiaries are Ofili Felix of Procurement; Mohammed Baba-Mala of CSP DOPS, Force Headquarters; Deborah O. Benary of CID Ogun State Command; Mohammed Sani Musa of CID Maritime; Lot Garba Lantoh, Commanding Officer, 22 Police Mobile Force, Lagos; Ijeoma Princewill Onyema of Administration, Zone 6 Calabar; Oyedepo Olubisi of CID Enugu State Command; Amanyi Christopher of JTF Operations Delta Safe, Bayelsa; and Regina Mbanefo of Zone 13, Anambra State.

In the same promotion exercise, 33 Chief Superintendents of Police, CSPs, were elevated to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP. They include Gafar Ajayi Adeyanju and Nnamdi Lotanna Anabike, Divisional Police Officer, Central Police Station, Onitsha, among others.
The Commission further approved the confirmation of appointment of 162 Assistant Superintendents of Police II, ASP II, to the substantive rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police I, ASP I.

Speaking after the promotions were approved, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.), congratulated the officers and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them through professionalism, integrity and accountability.
Argungu warned the officers against conduct capable of tarnishing their careers and reputations, stressing that higher rank comes with greater responsibility to the public and the institution.

He said: “Be truthful, transparent and accountable in your new responsibilities. Be professional in your conduct and be cautious of civil matters, especially land-related matters.”

The PSC chairman also reminded the newly promoted officers that public service is temporary and that their actions while in office would define how they are remembered after retirement.

According to him, “There is life after retirement. Guide your reputation and integrity. Let your actions speak for you and not against you.”

The latest promotions are expected to strengthen leadership capacity across state commands, specialised units and strategic departments of the Nigeria Police Force as the organisation continues efforts to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery nationwide.