In a major boost to senior leadership within the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of more than 3,800 officers, including two elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG).
The promotions cut across several ranks and were approved at the commission’s plenary meeting in Abuja on Thursday, following the successful completion of promotion examinations and oral interviews by the affected officers.
The exercise, presided over by PSC Chairman, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, also saw 10 Commissioners of Police (CPs) promoted to Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs), while 17 other officers attained the rank of Commissioners of Police.
The two newly promoted DIGs are Olaolu Adegbite, head of the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, and Dankombo F. Morris, who heads Zone 4 Headquarters in Makurdi.
Adegbite’s promotion comes against the backdrop of an extensive career in law enforcement and international security cooperation. He previously served as Director of Operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His academic qualifications include a degree in Russian Language from the University of Lagos and a master’s degree in Philology from the Pushkin Institute in Moscow.
He is also a recipient of the national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR), a member of the FBI National Academy Associates and an alumnus of Harvard Kennedy School.
Morris, who hails from Gombe State, holds a degree in History from the University of Maiduguri and a Diploma in Police Science. Before his latest elevation, he served as Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State and subsequently headed Zone 4 Headquarters in Makurdi.
The 10 officers elevated to AIG rank are Omosanyin Olusegun, Ogbodo Ugobueze, Ohagwu Felix Ndukwe, Taylor Lennox Olanrewaju, Regina Cosmas Udoette, Afolabi Wilfred Olutokunbo, Nwogoh Martin, Shetima Jauro Mohammed, Ibrahim D. Gotan and Danjuma I. Yahaya.
Those promoted to Commissioners of Police include Nache Bashir Liman, Sirajo Lawal Salihu, Ayeleye Adegboyega, Isiaka O. Salau, Usman Shaik Adamu, Aminu Maiwada Garba, Abdulkarim Musa Waziri and Muhammad Yusuf Adamu.
Others are Sani Adamu Nufawa, Bello M. Adamu, Okezie Chikezie C., Aminu Usman Gusau, Abiodun Onuoha, Salisu Bello Fago, Adegoke A. Alani, Wuwa Auwal Muhammad and Benedict U. Agbo.
The promotion exercise also extended to other levels of the police hierarchy, with 85 Assistant Commissioners of Police advancing to Deputy Commissioners, while 49 Chief Superintendents were elevated to Assistant Commissioners.
Similarly, 245 Superintendents were promoted to Chief Superintendents, while 498 Deputy Superintendents advanced to Superintendents.
Assistant Superintendents of Police accounted for the largest number of beneficiaries, with 3,218 officers promoted to Deputy Superintendents.
Congratulating the newly promoted officers, Argungu charged them to justify their elevation through greater dedication, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
He underscored the importance of translating their new ranks into improved policing, particularly in safeguarding lives and property, enforcing the law and strengthening public safety.
The PSC chairman further urged the officers to regard their promotions as an opportunity to deliver better results, stressing the commission’s expectation of higher standards of service and commitment.
