The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), on Monday, cautioned police inspectors scheduled for the upcoming Departmental Selection Board (DSB) promotion interviews against offering or contributing money to influence the outcome of the exercise, stressing that “any officer found involved in financial inducement would face severe sanctions.”
The DSB promotion interviews will take place at the 17 Police Zonal Command Headquarters from Monday, May 19, 2025.
The PSC said it will deploy staff to these zones to conduct the interviews in partnership with officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The interview is a mandatory prerequisite for the promotion of senior inspectors to the rank of unconfirmed Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP 2), as confirmed in a statement signed by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations for the Commission.
Who Is Eligible?
THE WHISTLER gathered that officers eligible for the interview are Inspectors, or Constables who, by merit and years of service, should have risen to the rank of Inspector and are due for promotion.
A reliable source familiar with the process explained that the selection is based on seniority.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “The ASP II are unconfirmed, and they are the juniors of ASP I. So once they are confirmed, they will become ASP I”.
She added, “The people coming for the DSB interview are those who are due based on seniority and modes of entering the police.
“It is either that they entered the police as Inspectors or as Constables who have risen to the rank of Inspector and are due for promotion. It is seniority that is considered in selecting those who are coming for this exercise.”
However the PSC boss reiterated the Commission’s zero-tolerance stance on bribery and unethical practices during promotions.
He stated, “The Commission will deal ruthlessly with any Police Officer or Officers found to be involved in any way, attempting to induce or compromise officials of the Commission or Police Officers supervising the exercise. Such Officers,” he warned, “will not only be sanctioned but disgraced.”
Recalling previous misconduct, Argungu disclosed that in the past, some candidates contributed money and handed it over to supervising officials. He vowed to put an end to such discreditable practices and uphold a transparent process.
He further emphasised that going forward, the PSC will ensure that promotions in the NPF are strictly based on merit and availability of vacancies.
He advised officers scheduled for the interview to adequately prepare and face the panel with the confidence of earning their promotion through competence.
According to Argungu, “The Commission will continue to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force is capable and ready to secure our environment and maintain law and order where citizens are free to pursue their daily obligations.”
