By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a strong warning against the practice of crowd renting and unauthorized protests at its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. This warning follows a recent incident where a group of individuals allegedly gathered outside the PSC’s office, demanding the formation of a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to look into serious allegations against police officers in Shendam, Plateau State.
The PSC emphasized its commitment to holding police officers accountable but condemned what it termed as a disturbing trend of orchestrated protests. In an official statement, the Commission encouraged individuals or groups with legitimate complaints regarding police misconduct to submit formal petitions, assuring that these will be addressed appropriately.
DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), Chairman of the PSC, responded to the demonstration by stating that the Commission will not be intimidated by “rented crowds” and will not tolerate such actions. He reiterated that the PSC headquarters is not a venue for protests and urged those with grievances to follow the established procedures to voice their concerns.
The situation arose from allegations made by a group claiming they experienced violence and robbery on October 22 and 23, 2025, at the hands of police officers, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Shendam, Bashiru Maisule, and the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Jacob Ogbolu, along with nearly 100 police personnel. The group alleged that these officers disrupted their peace, resulting in property damage and theft.
In response to these serious claims, the PSC has formally instructed the DPO, DCO, and other involved officers to provide explanations regarding the incidents. DIG Argungu assured the public of the Commission’s commitment to thoroughly investigating the matter and delivering justice.
The PSC’s firm position aims to maintain order and uphold the rule of law, making it clear that while complaints against police conduct will be taken seriously, they must be pursued through appropriate channels rather than through disruptive demonstrations.