The Police Service Commission (PSC) has noted with concern a recent report published by Sahara Reporters on January 21, 2026, titled “‘We’ve Done Everything Required’: Police Inspectors Protest Delayed Promotion Months After Passing 2025 Board Exercise.” The PSC, wishes to categorically rebut the claims made in the article, which appear to be based on unsubstantiated anonymous sources and misrepresent the Commission’s processes and commitments.

First and foremost, the Commission reaffirms its dedication to transparency, fairness, and merit-based promotions within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). Promotions are governed by established guidelines, including the successful completion of the Departmental Selection Board (DSB) exercises, and are processed in accordance with statutory timelines and resource availability. Contrary to the report’s assertion of “total silence” and “no explanation” from the PSC or Force Headquarters (FHQ), all officers who participated in the 2025 DSB, including those from the specified zones and commands, have been duly informed through official channels about the status of their evaluations. The Commission maintains comprehensive records of communications, and any officer experiencing issues is encouraged to verify through their respective commands or directly with the PSC.

The claim that promotions for these inspectors have been “stalled” while Senior Officers were elevated “within three weeks” is misleading and overlooks the distinct procedural tracks for different ranks. Senior-level promotions, often involving fewer candidates and streamlined reviews, may indeed proceed more swiftly due to their operational urgency. However, Inspector-Level promotions involve larger cohorts and additional layers of verification, including background checks, performance audits, and other considerations across states and commands. The 2025 DSB exercise, conducted in December 2025 as referenced in the police wireless message, was completed successfully, and processing is ongoing as per schedule. There is no evidence of undue delay; in fact, the PSC has accelerated efforts to finalize announcements in the coming few days, aligning with fiscal and administrative cycles.

Furthermore, suggestions of widespread demoralization, threats of early retirement, or erosion of Junior Officers’ confidence are speculative and not reflective of the broader sentiment within the Force. The Commission regularly engages with officers through official communication channels to address concerns. We have not received formal complaints from the affected officers via institutional channels, which raises questions about the anonymity-driven narrative in the report. Officers are advised to utilize established grievance procedures rather than relying on media outlets for resolution.

The PSC, under the leadership of Chairman, retired DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, in collaboration with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, remains committed to upholding the welfare and career progression of all NPF personnel. We have successfully promoted thousands of officers in recent years, including batches from similar cohorts, and will continue to do so without favoritism. Any perceived delays are often due to rigorous due diligence to ensure integrity and equity, not neglect.

We urge Sahara Reporters and other media outlets to verify facts with the PSC before publishing potentially divisive stories that could undermine public trust in our institutions.

For accurate information, members of the public and officers alike are invited to contact the PSC Public Affairs Section or visit our official website: www.psc.gov.ng.

The PSC will not be deterred from its mandate and assures all stakeholders of continued professionalism in service delivery.

Torty Njoku Kalu,
Head, Protocol and Public Affairs,
Police Service Commission,
Abuja.