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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 Umar Shehu Nadada – AIG, Zone 14, Katsina The promotions follow the recent elevation of 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. Read Also: Meet Prof. Ogunsakin and His Team on State Police Creation Congratulating the newly elevated officers, the Chairman of the PSC, 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 Paul Adamu Galumje, Taiwo Lakanu (Rtd), chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, and the Secretary to the Commission, Onyemuche Nnamani. PSC Partners PCRC for Recruitment of 50,000 Constables 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 police 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 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 urged its state chairmen to assist in verifying the character and indigene status of applicants. He noted that the collaboration was necessary to prevent the infiltration of the police by individuals with questionable backgrounds. Responding on behalf of the PCRC National Chairman, the Deputy National President (North), Wada Sadiq, pledged the committee’s full support for the recruitment exercise. He assured that members of the organisation would remain vigilant and committed to ensuring that only credible and qualified Nigerians are recruited into the Nigeria Police Force. 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.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the redeployment of several Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Civil Service as part of efforts to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery across government ministries and offices. The redeployments were announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack. According to the statement, the changes took effect from March 5, 2026, while all handover processes are expected to be completed by March 13. Under the new arrangement, Kambari Mahmud Adam has been moved from the Ministry of Environment to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, while Rimi Nura Abba has been redeployed from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to the Ministry of Steel Development. Read Also: Tinubu Assigns 65 Ambassadors to Foreign Missions Ganduje, Wife in Saudi Arabia for Ramadan Lesser Hajj Salihu Sagir Takai and the Politics of Succession in Kano Similarly, Danjuma Mohammed Sanusi has been reassigned from Special Services at the Office of Political and Economic Affairs under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Ministry of Finance (Special Duties). Isokpunwu Christopher Osaruwanwem has been moved from the Ministry of Steel Development to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, while Salihu Aminu Usman has been redeployed from the Ministry of Labour and Employment to the Ministry of Environment. In another set of redeployments, Ukaire Binyerem Chigbonwu has been moved from the Career Management Office to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, where he will understudy Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam. Muhammed Muktari Yawale has been transferred from the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to understudy Philip E. Ndiomu. Also, Ibrahim Abdulkarim Ozi has been reassigned from Special Duties at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy. In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the renewal of tenure for three Permanent Secretaries for a second and final four-year term, effective April 27, 2026. Those affected are Kachallom Shangti Daju of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, and Dr. Mary Ada Ogbe of the Ministry of Regional Development. While congratulating the officials on their redeployment and reappointment, Walson-Jack urged them to leverage their vast experience and professional expertise to ensure effective service delivery and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday dismissed a suit filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) against suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, over allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets. Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the anti-narcotics agency failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The judge stressed that the burden of proof rests on the prosecution in criminal matters and ruled that the NDLEA did not sufficiently establish the allegations against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari. Justice Omotosho described the case as “persecution” and subsequently discharged and acquitted the three defendants. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the NDLEA had filed a 23-count charge against Kyari, a former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and his two brothers. In the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/408/2022, the agency alleged that the defendants failed to fully disclose their assets and disguised ownership of several properties. According to the NDLEA, investigations uncovered 14 properties allegedly linked to Kyari, including shopping malls, a residential estate, a polo playground, parcels of land, and farmland located in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Maiduguri, Borno State. The agency further alleged that over N207 million and €17,598 were discovered in Kyari’s accounts with Guaranty Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa, and Sterling Bank. The NDLEA accused the defendants of concealing ownership of properties and converting funds, offences it said were punishable under Section 35(3)(a) of the NDLEA Act and Section 15(3)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all counts. Counsel to the NDLEA, Sunday Joseph, and defence lawyers Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Monjok Agom had earlier adopted their respective processes and presented arguments before the court fixed judgment. With Thursday’s ruling, the defendants stand formally discharged and acquitted of all charges.

The Chief Executive Officer of Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON-D7G), Mr. Osman Chennar, has led members of the Board of Directors on an inspection visit to the proposed site of Nigeria’s first military jetty, a strategic infrastructure project aimed at strengthening indigenous defence production. The proposed jetty, located near Tin Can Island Port in Lagos, is expected to serve as a key logistics hub for the importation of Completely Knocked Down (CKD) and Semi-Knocked Down (SKD) components, raw materials, and other critical supplies required for local defence manufacturing. Speaking during the visit, Chennar described the project as a “strategic enabler” for Nigeria’s expanding defence manufacturing ambitions, noting that the facility would significantly enhance inbound logistics and streamline supply chain operations. According to him, the jetty will reduce turnaround time, lower transportation costs, and support large-scale production of military equipment, positioning Nigeria as a regional defence hub. He disclosed that DICON-D7G has already commenced production of DG103 rifles in Kaduna for both Nigerian and African markets. The jetty, he added, will further support domestic assembly and manufacturing of small and medium arms, ammunition, tactical drones, unmanned systems, 4×4 and 6×6 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, anti-jammer drones, and other critical military hardware. Read Also: Tinubu swears in Disu as 23rd IGP Meet Prof. Ogunsakin and His Team on State Police Creation DICON–D7G Begins Local Assembly of DG-103 Rifles, Eyes African Export Market Chennar stated that when completed, the project is expected to create employment opportunities for over 2,000 retired military personnel and 5,000 skilled civilians, while boosting the capacity to supply military-grade weapons and ammunition to the Armed Forces of Nigeria and friendly African nations. A member of the Board of Directors, Major General Mainasara Abdul Masanawa (Rtd), said the jetty would also function as an export gateway for finished defence products to allied African countries. He noted that the initiative would deepen regional defence cooperation and reinforce Nigeria’s position as a central hub for military manufacturing on the continent. “The project underscores DICON-D7G’s commitment to reducing reliance on foreign sources for defence equipment and reinforcing self-sufficiency for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, paramilitary organisations, and other security agencies,” Masanawa said. He added that the initiative aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in achieving defence industrial self-reliance. According to him, strengthening local production capacity will help reduce foreign exchange expenditure on defence imports, enhance local technical expertise, generate employment, stimulate technology transfer, and improve national security through sustainable, homegrown solutions. The project is scheduled for official launch in June 2026, marking what officials describe as a major milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a resilient and self-sustaining defence industrial base. With the proposed military jetty, DICON-D7G aims to usher in a new phase in Nigeria’s defence manufacturing landscape driven by innovation, strategic autonomy, and regional leadership.