Former Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Margaret Ochalla in charge of Force Criminal Investigation Department FCID Annex Alagbon Ikoyi Lagos and six others have been promoted to the next rank of Deputy Inspectors General of Police DIGs.
This is against the backdrop that older DIGs, including DIG Frank Mba would be retained according to presidential directives to the new Inspector-General of Police IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu. A statement to that effect signed by Torty Njoku Kalu, spokesperson to the police service commission PSC, quoted the chairman of the Commission, Hashimu Argungu as congratulating the new DIGs even as he enjoined them to make the best use of their offices.
The statement reads, “The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted seven (7) Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs).
The promotions, which are a result of merit, seniority, record of service and performance in a written examination and oral interview conducted today at the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters in Abuja, are part of efforts to strengthen the leadership cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.
The newly promoted DIGs are: Zachariah Fera Achinyan, fdc (formerly AIG Zone 4, Makurdi), Zango Ibrahim Baba (formerly AIG Department of Logistics and Supply), Isyaku Mohammed (formerly AIG Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja), Margaret Agebe Ochalla (formerly AIG FCID Annex, Lagos), Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, mni (formerly AIG Police Accounts and Budget, Force Headquarters, Abuja), Kenechukwu Onwuemelie, fdc (formerly AIG Zone 15, Maiduguri) and Umar Shehu Nadada, mni (formerly AIG Zone 14, Katsina)
“This latest round of promotions follows the recent elevation of DIG Fayoade Adegoke to the substantive rank of DIG. He will now join the Force Management Team. The promotions became necessary to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of eight (8) DIGs who previously occupied these strategic offices.
While congratulating the new DIGs, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (Rtd), charged them to live up to the expectations of their new offices.
He urged them to prioritize national security and foster a cordial and productive working relationship with the Commission to ensure the continued development of the Nigeria Police Force.
Some of the PSC Board Members who took part as examiners in the exercise included: Hon. Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, JSC (rtd); Dr. Taiwo Lakanu (DIG rtd & Chairman, PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters); and Chief Onyemuche Nnamani (Secretary to the Commission).”
