By Malik Yahya
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), in a move aimed at strengthening the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commission said the promotions followed a rigorous assessment process involving written examinations and oral interviews conducted at its corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Those elevated to the rank of DIG are:
• Zachariah Fera Achinyan, fdc (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, mni (formerly AIG, Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja)
• Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, fdc (formerly AIG, Zone 15, Maiduguri)
• Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG, Zone 14, Katsina).
The latest promotions followed the recent elevation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police.
According to the Commission, the appointments became necessary following the retirement of eight DIGs who previously occupied key strategic positions within the Force.
Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), while congratulating the newly promoted officers, urged them to justify the confidence reposed in them.
He charged the new DIGs to prioritise national security and maintain a cordial and productive relationship with the Commission to support the continued development and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force.
Members of the PSC Board who served as examiners during the promotion exercise included Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, JSC (rtd); Dr Taiwo Lakanu (DIG rtd), Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters; and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.
