By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).

The promotion was contained in a statement by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Torty Njoku Kalu, who explained that the promotion exercise came after the Commission’s plenary meeting held on Wednesday July 1, 2026, at its headquarters in Abuja.

According to the PSC Spokesman, the newly-promoted officers emerged successful after participating in the Commission’s written examination and oral interview for senior police officers.

CP Orutugu was promoted alongside 12 other Commissioners of Police, among them Itam Nnaghe Obono of the Counter Terrorism Unit, a former Commissioner of Police in Anambra State; Bassey Samuel Ewah of the Plateau State Command, Osagie John Agans-Irabor of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Lagos; and Monday Agbonika of the Edo State Command.

Other promoted officers are, Iyamah Daniel Adebor of the Bayelsa State Command; Isa Danladi Nda of the Abia State Command; Akaninyene Ezima, Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC); Afegbua B. Rashid of the Cross River State Command; Edozie Hycenth Azuka of the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Unit of the FCID; Haruna Alaba Yahaya of the Jigawa State Command; Emenari Ifeanyi Innocent of the Benue State Command; and Betty Enekpen Otimenyin, Commissioner of Police in charge of Welfare.

PSC also approved the promotion of 17 Deputy Commissioners of Police to the rank of Commissioner of Police, 28 Assistant Commissioners of Police to Deputy Commissioners of Police, 33 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners of Police, and confirmed the appointments of 162 Assistant Superintendents of Police II to the substantive rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police I.

Since assuming office as Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Orutugu has earned a high level of commendations for his professionalism, doggedness, intelligence-driven policing strategy and relentless campaign against violent crimes across the state.

Under his leadership, the Command has recorded a series of high-profile breakthroughs, including bringing to an end to the era of Unknown Gunmen in the state, dismantling criminal gangs, rescue of kidnapped victims.

He also topped the notch with the recovery of sophisticated weapons and explosive devices, arrests of suspected cultists and armed robbers, intensified intelligence-led operations, as well as strengthened collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.

His tenure has witnessed increased public engagement through regular security briefings, stakeholders’ meetings and sustained advocacy on community policing, human rights and crime prevention, which are all believed to have contributed to the improved security atmosphere currently being experienced in many parts of Anambra State.

Congratulating the newly-promoted senior police officers, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Salihu Argungu, charged them to justify the confidence reposed in them by discharging their new responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, transparency and accountability.

Argungu also cautioned the officers against involvement in civil disputes, especially land matters, reminding them that integrity remains the greatest asset of every police officer.