- DIG Hashimu Argungu announces that future police promotions will be based on merit, abolishing special promotions and ensuring examinations are mandatory
- Argungu emphasizes that officers failing promotion exams three times will be retired, aiming to uphold the integrity of the police force
DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), announced that the commission will no longer endorse irregular means of promotion within the Nigeria Police Force. He declared that future promotions will be based solely on merit, including successfully passing prescribed examinations and meeting other basic requirements.
Argungu stated that special promotions, which have been prevalent, will be abolished. He emphasized that special promotions have no place anywhere in the world and affirmed that the PSC, under his leadership, will not support such practices.
During a meeting with a delegation from the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria, Argungu explained that while accelerated promotions are permitted by law for officers demonstrating exceptional skill, this process will be carefully regulated to prevent abuse.
“Promotion will now be on merit, with mandatory written examinations and interviews. Seniority will no longer be a factor in modern policing. Officers who fail the promotion examination three times will be retired due to incompetence,” Argungu said.
He stressed that the PSC will not promote officers who fail to pass the required written examinations and called on retired police officers to support this new direction. He noted that their experience will be valuable in implementing these changes.
Argungu expressed pride in the Nigeria Police Force, which he served as a Deputy Inspector General, and reassured that he will uphold the integrity of the force. “A policeman is like Caesar’s wife and should be above suspicion; it is country first. If I were to die and return, I would still choose to be a policeman,” he concluded.