PSC Chairman Argungu commends police officers for rejecting N174m bribe

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), has described the rejection of a massive sum of N174 million by detectives of the Raider team from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and the swift recovery of N10 million from some policemen from Zone 16 Command Headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as refreshing signposts of his deepening zero tolerance for corruption in the service.

The war against official corruption in the police has been the battle cry of Argungu, whose campaign is now spreading like wildfire with dividends already trickling in.

DIG Argungu had declared upon his assumption of office that he would not tolerate corruption at both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force. He quickly launched a whistle-blowing policy in the Commission and presented himself for official scrutiny, encouraging whistleblowers to report him if found wanting in the line of duty.

The Commission has recently observed positive signals from Nigerian police officers who have stood against corruption despite tempting offers.

Reacting to these developments, the PSC Chairman emphasised that the fight against corruption is a battle that must be won in the interest of the Nigerian nation.

According to PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani, Argungu recalled the recent rejection of the N174 million bribe by detectives of the Raider team from Zone 2 Command, Lagos, and the swift recovery of N10 million by officers from Zone 16 Command Headquarters, Yenagoa, as significant markers of the anti-corruption drive.

Ani noted: “CSP Ngozi Braide led her team from Zone 2 Lagos to arrest a suspected internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, in Lagos. She courageously played along, collecting a huge sum of $100,000, equivalent to N174 million, as a bribe, which she subsequently registered as evidence and arrested the fraudster for investigation.”

DIG Argungu commended the Inspector General of Police for the positive disposition of officers and men against the lure of corruption.

He assured that police officers who distinguish themselves and take the fight against corruption to the next level would be recognized by the Commission and appropriately rewarded.

“The PSC Chairman stated that while the Commission will not engage in special promotions, it has the power to grant accelerated promotions based on merit and performance,” Ani added.

Argungu urged police officers to continue their efforts to advance the nation’s security architecture, stressing that Nigeria must be freed from insurgency and terror.