By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has been promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), making him one of 13 Commissioners of Police recently elevated by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in its latest promotion exercise over the week.
The promotion, announced in a statement issued by the Head of Protocol and Public Affairs of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Torty Njoku Kalu, was said to follow 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 conducted as part of the promotion process for senior police officers.
CP Orutugu, who currently heads the Anambra State Police Command, was promoted alongside 12 other Commissioners of Police, including Itam Nnaghe Obono of the Counter Terrorism Unit who is also 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; Monday Agbonika of the Edo State Command; 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.
The Commission 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 doggedness, professionalism, 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 an end to the era of Unknown Gunmen in the state, dismantling of criminal gangs, rescue of kidnapped victims, 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 also 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 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.
Meanwhile, congratulations have continued to pour in for CP Orutugu since the PSC announcement of his promotion.
Congratulating the Anambra police helmsman, a group, Human Dignity Policing Initiative (HDPI), lauded him on the new feathers added to his policing career, describing the promotion as a fitting reward for his exemplary leadership, dedication to duty and commitment to professional policing.
In a congratulatory message signed by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Chukwugozie Emmanuel, the group said the new rank reflects Orutugu’s outstanding contributions to the Nigeria Police Force, while also expressing confidence that he would continue to distinguish himself in his higher responsibilities.
