•PSC promotes 952 ASPs, declines elevation of 179 others
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has announced the establishment of a National Task Force on the Recovery of Encroached Federal Government Lands and Properties, in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Speaking during a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Dangiwa commended the IGP for his exemplary leadership in repositioning the force to align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to secure lives, properties, and the future of Nigeria.

The minister, who led a delegation of the ministry’s management, including the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, emphasised that Federal Government lands are not mere parcels of soil, but national assets held in trust for all Nigerians.

He explained: “They are meant to host housing estates, infrastructure, and projects that will create jobs, drive development, and expand opportunities. When illegally occupied, development is stalled, investments are wasted, and the collective future of Nigerians is shortchanged.”

The minister lauded the IGP for approving the ministry’s request to raise the task force, describing the approval as a strong signal of the force’s readiness to protect national assets across the federation.

“The Task Force, which will include representatives from key Ministries, Agencies, and Security Services, will spearhead a coordinated nationwide effort to recover and safeguard Federal Government lands and properties,” he explained.

Responding, Egbetokun reaffirmed the force’s commitment to the joint task force, stressing that housing is critical to the welfare of citizens, and welcomed the directive for the allocation of over 1,000 housing units to police officers, describing the move as a measure that would boost welfare and strengthen their service to the nation.

Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the promotion of 952 Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASPs) to Deputy Superintendents (DSPs), but declined the elevation of 176 ASPs found to have retired from service, and another three suspected to have died.

The exercise was part of the highlights of the first plenary meeting of the sixth board of the commission, according to a statement yesterday.

PSC Chairman, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), congratulated the beneficiaries, but warned that they must imbibe the spirit of nationalism and respect for laws and regulations of the force.

He also warned that the commission would no longer tolerate diversionary and unauthorised actions by serving officers, especially when there are duly established channels to ventilate grievances.

Argungu assured the officers that their continued career progression would not be hindered or trampled upon.

Some of the beneficiaries include Elvina Ochia Chukwu of the FCID Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos; Kyrian Igwe, Enugu State Command; Ndidiamaka Onwude, O/C JWC, B Division, Kpirikpri, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Command; Rosemary Obianuju Egbo, Area Command, Warri, Delta State; Tabitha Gotan, Uya Bassey Johnson, Abia State Command; Elizabeth Ajik, NPF-NCC, FCID; Sunday Prince Ajaegbu, 44 PMF Force Headquarters, Abuja, and Deborah Danjuma, SPU Base 7, Abuja.

Others are Olowu Yetunde Olatunde of Ogun State Command; Felix Okpaleke, 32 PMF, Abakaliki; Zakka Bulus, FCT Command, Abuja; Kudirat Elegba, SPU Base 2, Lagos; Isioma Omodion, Delta State Command, and Ukpabio Ayi Akiba, Rivers State Command.