The Police Service Commission has promoted three Assistant Inspectors General of Police—Hafiz Inuwa, Aji Janga, and Adeleke Bode—to Deputy Inspectors General of Police.
Three DIGs from the geopolitical zones of North Central, North East, and North West retired, leaving their seats open. These roles are anticipated to be filled by the new DIGs.
This was said in a statement released by PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani on Sunday.
According to the PSC, approving the new DIGs' nominations also guaranteed that the Nigerian police would maintain its explicit succession plan.
Mustapha Dan-Daura, the Force Secretary, will be replaced in the North-West position by Hafiz Inuwa. On January 15 of this year, Dan-Daura resigned from his job in a formal manner.
DIG Zanna Ibrahim will be replaced by Aji Janga from the Northeast after she retired on November 26, 2022. Adeleke Bode from the North-Central will take over as DIG Sanusi Lemu's replacement after he retired on January 31 of this year.
On February 2nd and 3rd, 2023, the commission had its 18th plenary in Abuja, when decisions were taken that included the new appointments. The meeting was overseen by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi, the PSC's acting chairperson.
Due to their absence from the mandatory promotion interview, the commission also halted the promotions of eight commissioners of police to the rank of assistant inspector general and eleven deputy commissioners of police to the next rank of commissioner.
Ani said, “The PSC had sent invitations to the officers to appear before it for the usual interaction to ascertain their suitability and capability for the new offices.
“The commission expressed surprise on their failure to honour the invitation especially as the 2023 general election is just days away.”
The commission also consented to the promotion of 10 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners, 17 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners, and 301 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents.
Also, 47 Deputy Superintendents of Police who had been left off of previous recommendations to the commission were promoted to Superintendents of Police, and 665 Assistant Superintendents of Police were promoted to Deputy Superintendents of Police.
The recommendations for ACP Nwamanna Nelson, SP Iliyas Casmir, and SP Alheri Mamman were also approved. The officers were promoted to the next level after being cleared of disciplinary issues.
Justice Ogunbiyi congratulated the officers and wished them luck. He also told the newly-promoted officers that they should do their best to serve the country, especially since Nigeria will be voting for new leaders soon.