The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, has approved the promotion of 1,944 junior police officers to their next rank.

A statement issued by Mr Frank Mba, the Deputy Public Relations Officer, on Friday said that all the promotions were with effect from Jan. 1.

The breakdown of the exercise showed that 204 Sergeants were promoted to the rank of Inspectors, 303 Corporals to Sergeants and 1,437 Constables to Corporals.

The statement tagged the elevation as "New Year Gift", adding that it was in line with the ongoing reforms in the police.

It said that all the beneficiaries had attended the four police colleges spread across the country and passed a special promotion course organised for them.

"The beneficiaries of the new promotion are spread across all police Commands and formations within the country, including the Force Headquarters, Abuja," the statement explained.

Meanwhile, the IGP has congratulated the officers and charged them to see their elevation as a call to duty as they would be saddled with greater responsibilities. He described the inspectorate, rank and file officers as the "foot soldiers" of the force and reiterated his commitment to their welfare.

- NAN