PSC Appoints Six DIGs, Promotes Enugu CP to AIG Rank

By James Ajibade.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the appointment of six new Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) and the promotion of the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Kanayo Uzuegbu, to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).

The newly appointed DIGs are:

1. Sadiq Idris Abubakar – Commandant, Police Academy, Wudil, Kano

2. Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo – Former AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa

3. Williams Adebowale – Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos

4. Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali – AIG, FCID Annex, Enugu

5. Idegwu Basil Ukuoma – AIG, Zone 14, Katsina

6. Adebola Ayinde Hamzat – AIG, Zone 16, Yenagoa; former Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command

Their appointments follow the retirement of six DIGs: Jonathan Towuru (DIG FCID), Bala Viroma (DIG Administration), Dasuki Galandachi (DIG Force Intelligence Department), Ali Ari Muhammed, Banji Lawal, and Suleiman Yusuf.

Background of Newly Appointed DIGs

DIG Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo previously served as AIG, Department of Information Communication Technology, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

DIG Sadiq Abubakar was a former Commissioner of Police (FCT), CP Peacekeeping Operations, and Coordinator of the Police Special Forces.

DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat held key positions, including CP Border Patrol, CP Crime Prevention and Community Safety, and Deputy Force Secretary. He was also AIG in charge of the NPF Counter Terrorism Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Promotions and New CP Appointments

The PSC also promoted CP Kanayo Uzuegbu to AIG. Before his promotion, he served in various capacities, including:

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Zone 9, Umuahia

Area Commander, Owerri and Karu (Nasarawa State)

Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Admin, Edo State Command

Commissioner of Police (Operations & Communication), Force Headquarters, Abuja

Additionally, the Commission approved the appointment of two new Commissioners of Police (CPs):

CP Ademola Johnson – New CP, Oyo State (formerly Principal Staff Officer to the IGP and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command).

CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa – New CP, Enugu State, replacing AIG Uzuegbu. He was previously DCP Operations in Kaduna and Imo State Commands and held leadership roles in the Police Mobile Force.

Other Promotions

The PSC also promoted eight Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs):

Abdullahi Kamba Usman

Sani Abdu

Ifeanyi Owo

Vincent Orole

Elisha Atikinkpan

Margaret Okonkwo

Alhasan Aliyu Guga

Imo Owinizi Ezekiel

These promotions followed rigorous written examinations and oral interviews conducted by the Commission.

PSC Chairman’s Charge

PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd.), presided over the appointment and promotion sessions, alongside Supreme Court Justice (rtd.) Paul Adamu Galumje, Hon. Commissioner DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd.), and Chief Onyemuchi Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission.

Argungu urged the new DIGs to fully support the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in ensuring national security, maintaining law and order, and improving policing standards in Nigeria.