The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) as part of efforts to strengthen the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force.
The newly promoted DIGs are Zachariah Fera Achinyan (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi); Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply); Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja); Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos); Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja); Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri); and Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina).
According to PSC spokesperson, Torty Njoku Kalu, the promotions were based on merit, seniority, record of service, and performance in both written examinations and oral interviews conducted at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Kalu said the exercise formed part of ongoing measures to reinforce the leadership capacity of the police.
He further stated: “This latest round of promotions follows the recent elevation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG and he will now join the Force Management Team.”
According to him, the promotions were also necessary to address gaps created by recent retirements within the top echelon of the force.
“The promotions became necessary to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of eight DIGs who previously occupied these strategic offices,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, congratulated the newly promoted officers and urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
Argungu charged the officers to live up to the expectations of their new responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of the police institution.
He also urged them to prioritise national security while maintaining a cordial and productive working relationship with the Commission to ensure the continued development of the Nigeria Police Force.
