The Police Service Commission has approved new policy guidelines for the deployment of management and tactical commanders in the Nigeria Police Force. The commission emphasizes the importance of gender sensitivity in the deployment of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police to Zonal and state Command Headquarters.
These policy guidelines were discussed and approved during the 21st Plenary Meeting of the commission, held at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja on Thursday, June 15th, 2023, under the leadership of Chairman Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police.
Guiding Principles of Federal Character and Equitable Deployment
The Police Service Commission has emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force should adhere to the principle of Federal Character in both recruitment and deployment of personnel at management and tactical levels. The aim is to ensure balance, equity, and fairness within the system. The commission has observed that the current deployment of Commissioners of Police to state commands does not adequately reflect the principle of equity and fairness, particularly for the North-East and South-East geopolitical zones. It recognizes the need for a more balanced representation to address feelings of marginalization and injustice within the Nigeria Police Force.
Authority and Approval of New Policy Guidelines
In accordance with Section 6(e) and (7) of the Police Service Commission Act, which empowers the commission to formulate and implement policies aimed at enhancing efficiency and discipline within the Nigeria Police Force, the commission has approved the new policy guidelines. The commission reiterates the need for proposals requesting the deployment of Commissioners of Police to State Commands to prioritize the disadvantaged zones to rectify the existing imbalance and skewed deployments against the North-East and South-East regions.
Fair Representation and Inclusion
To address the disproportionate distribution and lopsided deployment of Command Commissioners, the commission mandates that all geo-political zones of the country must have at least a 15 percent representation in the deployment of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to Zones, Commissioners of Police to State Commands, and Commanding Officers of Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism CTU, and Special Protection Unit (SPU). The commission emphasizes that all police deployments, both at management and tactical levels, must reflect fairness and equity in terms of ethnicity and religion, considering Nigeria’s heterogeneity.
Promoting Gender Sensitivity
Recognizing the continued practice of deploying only male police officers to zones and commands, the commission emphasizes the need for fair consideration and representation of qualified female police officers. To address this, the commission approves that at least three state commands out of the thirty-seven must have female Police Officers as their Commissioners of Police. Additionally, at least one zone out of the seventeen Zonal Headquarters must have a female Assistant Inspector General of Police to head the zone. This policy aims to promote gender empowerment and inclusivity in governance within the Police Force.
Other Approvals
During the Plenary Meeting, the commission also approved the appointment of two Deputy Inspectors General of Police and promoted 14 Commissioners of Police to the rank of Assistant Inspectors-General of Police. Among the promoted officers is CP Adebowale Williams, formerly the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State Command. Furthermore, 22 Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to substantive Commissioners of Police, including DCP Enyinnaya Inonachi Adiogu, who previously served as Deputy Commissioner Special Fraud Unit (SFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos.