By Obinna Uballa
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday conducted a compulsory promotion examination for 30 senior police officers in Abuja, with a stern warning that those who fail the test three times will be forced into retirement.
The exercise, held at the Commission’s headquarters, involved one Assistant Inspector-General of Police, two Commissioners of Police, 11 Deputy Commissioners, and 16 Assistant Commissioners.
PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu, said the promotion exam is now a permanent requirement for career progression in the Nigeria Police Force.
“This exam has come to stay. Any officer that fails it three times will have to go home. We can’t continue to carry people who are not competent,” Argungu declared.
He explained that the reform aims to raise professional standards and restore public confidence in the police.
“The world has changed; it is a skill-driven era. If our officers want to rise, they must show capacity. Otherwise, we can’t justify promoting them,” he said.
Argungu also stressed that the PSC has tightened promotion procedures to eliminate errors. “We are paying attention to details, no dead or retired officer should ever appear on a promotion list again,” he added.
Other commissioners of the PSC, including retired Supreme Court Justice Paul Adamu Galumje and retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu, were present at the exercise.
