18 senior police officers have been dismissed while 19 others were reduced in rank following their misconduct.

This is according to the Police Service Commission.

Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, disclosed in a statement on Friday that the PSC Chairman warned that every police officer should operate within established rules and regulations.

The statement read: “The Police Service Commission rose from the last segment of its first plenary meeting in Abuja with far-reaching decisions on one hundred and ten (110) pending disciplinary matters (PDM) and twenty-three (23) appeals and petition cases, alongside thirteen (13) court judgments seeking compliance.

The statement noted that the plenary meeting was chaired by Commission Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu. DIG Taiwo Lakanu, the Honourable Commissioner, and Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, were also present.

After rigorous consideration of the pending disciplinary matters before it, the Commission approved the dismissal of 18 senior police officers, including ten assistant superintendents, four deputy superintendents, two chief superintendents, and one superintendent.

The Commission also approved the reduction in rank of 19 other senior police officers, comprising one Assistant Commissioner of Police, one Chief Superintendent, two Superintendents, two Deputy Superintendents, and thirteen Assistant Superintendents.

Most of the officers dismissed are also to be prosecuted by the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force. Three pending disciplinary matters were stepped down with a request for further information from the Inspector General of Police.

The commission also considered 23 appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgments.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu, stated that the Commission will henceforth address police disciplinary matters with dispatch to allow police officers not found culpable to continue their career progression while ensuring that those found guilty serve their punishments.

He warned that the Commission would not spare police officers who indulge in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues, and rent-related disputes.

DIG Argungu emphasized that the courts should be allowed to perform their duties while the police focus on criminal matters and threats to life.