From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police, one Assistant Inspector General of Police, and eight Assistant Commissioners of Police.
The Commission also announced the appointment of new Commissioners of Police for Enugu and Oyo States.
In a statement on Tuesday, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, listed the newly promoted DIGs. Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, Commandant of the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano, was among those elevated.
A former Commissioner of Police (CP) in the Federal Capital Territory, Abubakar previously served as CP for Peacekeeping Operations and Coordinator of the Police Special Forces. Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, former AIG of Zone 16, Yenagoa, and currently AIG in charge of the Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters, Abuja, was also promoted. Williams Adebowale, Commandant of the Police Staff College, Jos, joined the ranks of DIGs.
Others include Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, AIG, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Enugu; Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, AIG, Zone 14, Katsina; and Adebola Ayinde Hamzat, AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa, and former CP, Oyo State Command. Hamzat has also served as CP Border Patrol, CP Crime Prevention and Community Safety, Deputy Force Secretary, and AIG in charge of the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The PSC also elevated Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Uzuegbu Kanayo, to the rank of AIG. Uzuegbu previously served as Assistant Commissioner of Operations, Zone 9, Umuahia; Area Commander in Owerri and Karu, Nasarawa State; Commander of Operation Switch in Port Harcourt; Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration, Edo State Command; DCP State CID, Osun State; and CP Operations & Communication at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The Commission also approved new Commissioners of Police for Oyo and Enugu State Commands. CP Ademola Johnson, previously the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), was appointed CP for Oyo State. Johnson has also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in Delta State Command. CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa was appointed as CP for Enugu State, replacing newly promoted AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. Giwa has served as DCP Operations in Kaduna and Imo State Commands, ACP Police Mobile Force (PMF) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and Commissioner of Police Mobile Force at Force Headquarters.
The PSC also promoted eight Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). The newly promoted officers include Abdullahi Kamba Usman, Sani Abdu, Ifeanyi Owo, Vincent Orole, Elisha Atikinkpan, Margaret Okonkwo, Alhasan Aliyu Guga, and Imo Owinizi Ezekiel.
According to Ani, the newly promoted senior officers underwent rigorous written examinations and oral interviews before their elevation.
Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.), presided over the selection process, alongside Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (rtd.), the Commissioner representing the Judiciary; DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd.), Commissioner representing the Police; and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
Argungu urged the new DIGs to provide maximum support to the Inspector-General of Police, ensuring that law enforcement remains effective in securing public spaces and maintaining law and order nationwide.
