The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) as part of efforts to strengthen the leadership structure of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Commission said the promotions were based on merit, seniority, service records and performance in written examinations and oral interviews conducted at its Corporate Headquarters in Abuja.
The newly promoted officers are Zachariah Fera Achinyan (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi); Zango Ibrahim Baba (AIG Department of Logistics and Supply); Isyaku Mohammed (AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja); Margaret Agebe Ochalla (AIG FCID Annex, Lagos); Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman (AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters); Kenechukwu Onwuemelie (AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri); and Umar Shehu Nadada (AIG Zone 14, Katsina).
The promotions follow the recent elevation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of Deputy Inspector-General and are intended to fill vacancies created by the retirement of eight DIGs who previously occupied the positions.
Congratulating the newly elevated officers, Chairman of the PSC, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (Rtd), urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, prioritise national security and maintain a productive working relationship with the Commission to support the continued development of the Nigeria Police Force.
Members of the PSC Board who participated as examiners during the promotion process included Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, JSC (Rtd); Dr Taiwo Lakanu, DIG (Rtd) and Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters; and the Secretary to the Commission, Chief Onyemuche Nnamani.
In a related development, the PSC and the Nigeria Police Force have formally co-opted the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) as key partners in the screening of 50,000 constables, the largest single recruitment exercise in the history of the Force.
The partnership was formalised during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja ahead of the physical and credential screening scheduled to commence on Monday, March 9, 2026, across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing the meeting, PSC Chairman Argungu commended the PCRC for its continued support for national security and tasked its state chairmen to assist in verifying applicants’ character and indigene status.
He said the collaboration was necessary to prevent the infiltration of the Force by individuals with questionable backgrounds.
Responding on behalf of the PCRC National Chairman, the Deputy National President (North), Ambassador Wada Sadiq, pledged the committee’s full support for the recruitment exercise.
He assured that members would remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that only credible and qualified Nigerians are recruited into the police.
The meeting was attended by PCRC state chairmen, zonal coordinators and key PSC board members, reinforcing what officials described as a collaborative approach aimed at ensuring transparency and integrity in the recruitment process.
Linus Aleke in Abuja
About the Author
