Niger Gets New Police Commissioner as PSC Approves Salisu Fago’s Posting

• Salisu Fago has been approved as Niger State’s new police commissioner, with the PSC urging him to remain neutral and strengthen intelligence-led policing.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has approved the posting of Commissioner of Police Salisu Fago as the new head of the Niger State Police Command.

Fago succeeds CP Adamu Elleman, who retired from the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission announced the posting in a statement issued on Monday by its Head of Protocol and Public Relations, Torty Kalu.

According to the statement, Fago’s appointment followed an interview presided over by the Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, retired Deputy Inspector-General Taiwo Lakanu.

Lakanu represented the commission’s chairman, retired Deputy Inspector-General Hashimu Argungu, at the session.

PSC urges neutrality and community policing

The PSC chairman urged Fago to remain neutral and develop practical strategies to tackle crime and maintain peace in Niger State.

He specifically recommended intelligence-led and community-based policing as approaches to addressing the state’s security challenges.

“I urge you to remain neutral and to develop a workable strategy – including intelligence-led and community-based policing – to combat crime and criminality and to maintain peace and security in Niger State, ” the statement quoted him as saying.

Over three decades in policing

Fago joined the Nigeria Police Force on June 10, 1994, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Conflict Management and Peace Studies. He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

His professional training includes the Advanced Intelligence Detective Course, Police Mobile Force Commanders Training Course and Tactical Leadership Command Course.

Previous intelligence and operational assignments

Fago brings more than three decades of operational and administrative experience to his new role.

He previously served as Officer-in-Charge of the State Intelligence Bureau in Kano and Katsina states.

He also held Assistant Commissioner of Police positions overseeing Criminal Investigation in Katsina and Operations in Delta and Maiduguri.

His command experience includes leading the 6 Police Mobile Force in Maiduguri and the 52 Police Mobile Force in Chalawa, Kano State.

He also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration at the Zamfara State Police Command.