“Rank Is Conferred by the Commission, but Respect Is Earned by Your Conduct” IGP Warns Officers Against Corruption, Abuse of Office
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has decorated 29 newly promoted senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, comprising two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), 10 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and 17 Commissioners of Police (CPs), charging them to demonstrate greater commitment to professionalism, integrity, personnel welfare and public accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The decoration ceremony, held in Abuja, brought together prominent government officials, traditional rulers, senior police officers, security stakeholders, members of the diplomatic and media communities, as well as families and friends of the newly promoted officers. The event marked an important milestone in the careers of the officers, whose promotions followed the completion of examinations and oral interviews conducted by the Police Service Commission.
Among the dignitaries present were former Governor of Jigawa State and former Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu, who represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo; Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu; the Emir of Keffi, His Royal Highness Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III; and the Chun Mada of Akwanga, His Royal Highness Dr. Samson Gamu-Yare.
The promotions were approved at the plenary meeting of the Police Service Commission presided over by its Chairman, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (retd.), in Abuja. The exercise covered officers across several ranks of the Force, following the Commission’s assessment of their performance and suitability for higher responsibilities.
The two officers elevated to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police are Olaolu Adegbite, who heads the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in Abuja, and Dankombo F. Morris, who heads Zone 4 Headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State. Adegbite previously served as Director of Operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, while Morris had served as Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State before his elevation.
The 10 officers promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police are Omosanyin Olusegun, Ogbodo Ugobueze, Ohagwu Ndukwe, Taylor Olanrewaju, Regina Udoette, Afolabi Olutokunbo, Nwogoh Martin, Shetima Mohammed, Ibrahim Gotan and Danjuma Iyahaya. Their elevation places them in higher leadership positions within the Force, with increased responsibilities for supervision, administration and operational coordination.
Also promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police are 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police, including Nache Bashir Liman, Sirajo Lawal Salihu, Ayeleye Adegboyega, Isiaka O. Salau, Usman Shaik Adamu, Aminu Maiwada Garba, Abdulkarim Musa Waziri, Muhammad Yusuf Adamu, Sani Adamu Nufawa, Bello M. Adamu, Okezie Chikezie, Aminu Usman Gusau, Abiodun Onuoha, Salisu Bello Fago, Adegoke A. Alani, Wuwa Auwal Muhammad and Benedict U. Agbo.
Beyond the senior leadership appointments, the Police Service Commission also approved the promotion of 85 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners of Police, 49 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police, 245 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents of Police and 498 Deputy Superintendents of Police to Superintendents of Police. The Commission further approved the elevation of 3,218 Assistant Superintendents of Police to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Among the officers promoted from Superintendent of Police to Chief Superintendent of Police is the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Josephine Adeh. The wide-ranging promotion exercise is expected to strengthen the Force’s command structure and provide additional leadership capacity across its various formations and operational departments.
Speaking at the ceremony, IGP Disu congratulated the newly promoted officers but reminded them that promotion should not be regarded merely as an achievement to celebrate. According to him, elevation in rank comes with greater responsibility, higher accountability and increased expectations from the institution and the Nigerian people.
The IGP recalled his own experience when he received a new rank, explaining that his immediate concern was not that he had arrived but that more people would now be watching his conduct and performance. He told the newly decorated officers that their subordinates, the communities they serve and the nation would equally be observing how they discharge their new responsibilities.
Disu outlined three major charges for the officers, beginning with integrity. He declared that the Force must maintain zero tolerance for corruption, abuse of office and indiscipline, insisting that senior officers must lead by personal example. He cautioned them against demanding standards they were unwilling to demonstrate, stressing that they must practise discipline and accountability before expecting the same from their personnel.
On personnel welfare and professional development, the Inspector-General urged the newly promoted officers to take mentorship seriously by identifying, encouraging and developing younger officers under their command.
He asked them to treat their personnel with care, look after their welfare and create an environment where officers could grow professionally and serve with dedication.
According to Disu, the quality of officers a leader develops and leaves behind is an important measure of effective leadership. He maintained that neglected personnel could hardly be expected to serve with honour, adding that the responsibility of senior officers extended beyond achieving results during their tenure to building a stronger and more capable generation of police personnel.
The IGP’s third charge centred on public trust, which he described as essential to the ongoing repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force into a professional, accountable, intelligence-led and people-oriented institution.
He urged the newly promoted officers to become active drivers of this transformation, explaining that confidence in the police must be earned through fairness, respect for human rights and prompt responses to citizens’ needs at police stations, on the roads and within communities.
In a major directive, Disu announced that all the newly promoted officers must submit action plans for their respective commands, departments, formations or offices within 90 days. He explained that each plan must contain clear and measurable targets on integrity, personnel welfare and public trust, tailored to the specific responsibilities of the officer concerned. The IGP also stated that he would personally review the submissions and follow up on their implementation.
The Inspector-General also recognised the sacrifices made by the families of police officers, particularly the long working hours, transfers to distant locations and missed family occasions that often come with police service. He acknowledged that spouses and children frequently bear the burden of officers’ demanding schedules and professional commitments, assuring them that their contributions to the careers of the newly promoted officers were recognised and appreciated.
Disu expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his continued support for the Nigeria Police Force and commended the Chairman and members of the Police Service Commission for what he described as a credible, transparent and merit-based promotion process.
He challenged the newly decorated officers to justify the confidence placed in them by demonstrating improved leadership and performance in their new positions.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu, who represented Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, praised the Inspector-General for his leadership and commended the Nigeria Police Force for its contribution to security in the state. Expressing appreciation for the work of the police, Salifu told Disu, “You are the reason why we sleep well in Kogi,” acknowledging the importance of police operations and leadership in protecting residents and sustaining peace.
The Kogi Deputy Governor’s statement underscored the importance of cooperation between state governments and the police in addressing security challenges and safeguarding communities. His commendation also reflected the Kogi State Government’s recognition of the role played by the Nigeria Police Force in creating a safer environment for residents and supporting stability across the state.
Also delivering a goodwill message, the Emir of Keffi, His Royal Highness Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa III, congratulated the newly promoted officers, describing their elevation as recognition of their commitment, resilience and dedication to national service. He urged them to discharge their duties with professionalism, integrity and courage, respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, while protecting lives and property without fear or favour.
The traditional ruler also commended the Police Service Commission for what he described as transparency and fairness in the promotion exercise and praised IGP Disu’s attention to police welfare, particularly improvements in accommodation, insurance and other welfare provisions. He encouraged the officers to serve with honour and become agents of peace in their communities.
