Nineteen officers of the Nigeria Police Force have been dismissed over gross professional misconduct, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has said.

The commission on Friday, December 6, 2024, stated that the dismissed officers acted against the extant rules and regulations of the establishment.

Speaking at a plenary, the chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retired) also reduced the ranks of 19 other officers found culpable of various offences.

In a statement released by Ikechukwu Ani, the spokesperson for the commission, the dismissed officers include 10 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs), six Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), two Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) and 1 Superintendent of Police (SP).

Ani said the dismissal of the officers followed recommendations of commissioners of the PSC after the launch of investigations on various petitions levelled against the dismissed officers.

He said two Assistant Inspector Generals of Police were also reprimanded for failing to carry out lawful instructions while another senior officer was handed a letter of warning for negligence of duty.

Those who their ranks were reduced by the PSC are one Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), two Superintendents of Police (SPs), two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) and 13 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs).

He said, “The commission also considered 23 appeals and petitions and nine legal matters/court judgements.

“The Chairman of the Commission, Argungu, said the commission will henceforth consider police disciplinary matters with dispatch so as to free police officers who are not found wanting to continue with their career progression and those found culpable to serve their punishments,” Ani said.

He further warned that the PSC would not hesitate to punish officers who engage in civil matters such as land disputes, marital issues and rent related disputes.

“DIG Argungu said the courts should be allowed to do their duties while the Police should pay more attention to criminal matters and threats to life, Ani added.