The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of hundreds of senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to higher ranks, in a move aimed at strengthening leadership and boosting professionalism across the service. The elevation exercise, which concluded on 17 December 2025 at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, was overseen by the PSC Chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Hashimu Salihu Argungu and followed rigorous written examinations and oral interviews.
At the top of the promotion list is Mohammed Usman Gumel, who has been elevated from Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG). Before his new appointment, Gumel was AIG in charge of the Community Policing Project (CPP) within the Department of Research and Planning at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
In addition to the top post, the Commission approved seven promotions from Commissioner of Police (CP) to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs). Those promoted include Ihebom Chukwuma of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja, Maxwell Olatokunbo of the K9 Unit, and Abaniwonda Olufemi of Delta State Command. Other newly appointed AIGs are Alonyenu Francis Idu from Bayelsa State Command, Lawal B. Ayodeji of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in Lagos, Agene Emmanuel of FCID in Kaduna, and Vungmoh S.M. Kwaimo, who previously led the Railway Command.
Thirteen Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) were promoted to the substantive rank of Commissioners of Police. This group includes Babalola Ayodeji Johnson of the National Cybercrime Centre, Ali Umar Fage of the Directorate of Forensic Analysis at Lagos Port Authority, and Cyril Uche Obiozo, Deputy Commissioner of Administration in Cross River State. Others elevated to CP include Ofem Ikpi Arikpo from Bayelsa State Command, Edwin Ogbeghagha from Zone 17 in Akure, and Audu Garba Bosso of Borno State Command.
In the same exercise, 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs) were promoted to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), including Muhammad Nuhu Diggi of Dala Area Command in Kano, Dr Udu Moses Ogechi of the 59 Police Mobile Force in Gombe, and Afolaogun Toyin, commander of the 16 Police Mobile Force in Abeokuta.
A further 51 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSPs) were elevated to Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). Among these are Davidson Okechukwu Ndubueze, Divisional Police Officer for Okija, Muktari Bello from the Delta State Command, and Obediah Okezie of the World Bank Division in Umuahia. In addition, 542 Superintendents of Police were promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police and 119 Deputy Superintendents of Police were elevated to Superintendent of Police. The Commission also advanced 12 Assistant Superintendents of Police to Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Speaking after the exercise, PSC Chairman Argungu congratulated all officers on their promotions and reminded them that advancement brings greater responsibility and expectations. He urged them to demonstrate professionalism, integrity and dedication in their duties. Argungu also reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to regular, merit-based promotions in line with global best practices, emphasising that such processes are essential to effective policing, improved protection of lives and property, and the maintenance of law and order nationwide.
