Police Promote Over 74,000 Officers, Dismiss Allegations of Promotion Scandal

The Nigeria Police Force has promoted a total of 74,352 officers across all ranks since January 2025, debunking claims of irregularities in the exercise.

A statement released on Sunday by the Force’s Public Relations Department indicated that the promotions span both senior and junior cadres, from Assistant Inspector-General of Police to Corporal.

The breakdown showed that 45 Commissioners of Police were elevated to Assistant Inspectors-General, while 69 Deputy Commissioners moved up to Commissioners of Police. Other promotions included 156 Assistant Commissioners to Deputy Commissioners, 1,014 Superintendents to Chief Superintendents, and 270 Chief Superintendents to Assistant Commissioners.

At junior levels, 30,828 Inspectors were promoted to Assistant Superintendents of Police I, 16,970 Sergeants to Inspectors, 8,840 Corporals to Sergeants, and 58 Police Constables to Corporals.

Reacting to public criticism, Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, insisted that the promotions were strictly merit-based.

“We will not be swayed by those who trade in falsehood or seek to undermine the integrity of our institution. There is no promotion scandal in the Nigeria Police Force,” Egbetokun said.

He added that the exercise forms part of ongoing reforms aimed at boosting morale, strengthening leadership, and enhancing operational efficiency within the Force.

The Force emphasized that the promotion exercise underscores its commitment to rewarding diligence, professionalism, and proven capacity.