The Police Service Commission has elevated seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General, a move aimed at reinforcing the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force and strengthening senior command capacity.
The officers promoted are Zachariah Fera Achinyan, Zango Ibrahim Baba, Isyaku Mohammed, Margaret Agebe Ochalla, Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, and Umar Shehu Nadada.
Their advancement followed an assessment process that considered seniority, professional record, and merit, alongside performance in written and oral examinations conducted for eligible officers seeking elevation into the police’s top command ranks.
The promotions were approved on Friday after the candidates completed the evaluation exercise held at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja, where members of the PSC board assessed the officers during the selection process.
Before their elevation, the officers served in various strategic roles across the force, including zonal commands and key departments such as logistics, armament, accounts and budget, and the Force Criminal Investigation Department.
The development comes shortly after the elevation of Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of Deputy Inspector-General, a promotion that positioned him within the Nigeria Police Force Management Team.
According to a statement issued by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs at the PSC headquarters, Torty Kalu, the decision to fill the positions followed the retirement of eight Deputy Inspectors-General who previously occupied critical leadership offices within the police hierarchy.
“While congratulating the new DIGs, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (Rtd), charged them to live up to the expectations of their new offices. He urged them to prioritize national security and foster a cordial and productive working relationship with the Commission to ensure the continued development of the Nigeria Police Force,” Kalu said.
