The Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun has come under fire for what critics call acts capable of dampening the morale of operatives who are on the field “working tirelessly” to check crime and other acts of terrorism in the country. He is accused of, among other things, selective promotion of officers at the expense of those deserving promotions.
According to the Guidelines on Appointment, Promotion and Discipline in the Nigeria Police Force issued by the Police Service Commission (PSC) (Revised Edition 2018), the IGP is required to send recommendations of eligible police officers for promotion to the Commission.
This is the second week in a row that Mr. Egbetokun has come under fire for acts that are tantamount to making the men and women who serve in the police force “continue to operate under conditions that are nothing short of inhumane.”
Human Rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq, had earlier in the first week of August urged Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) “to act decisively by relieving the current Inspector-General of Police of his duties” and appoint “a leader with a clear commitment to constitutional order and human rights.”
Meanwhile, the Convener, Benue Open Governance Society (BOGS), Mr. Samuel Agwa, speaking in an interview with TNT noted that recently operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police who are on mission in the “state and have been doing a lot in responding to insecurity deserve both due process promotions and even promotion based on value they are adding.”
Regretably, Mr. Agwa went on, in spite of the gains they have recorded, including arrest of killers of local farmers and recovery of arms, they have not enjoyed appropriate promotions due to them even when they are deserving of same.
The BOGS convener stated that not promoting police officers as of when due can be a “latent threat to insecurity as morale and patroitism will be dampened.”
He called on the IGP and Benue State Commissioner of Police to step up processes that do not withhold the promotions of IRT operatives on mission in Benue State.
“We have been criticising the Police but they more we engage, we see how over 80% success stories in the fight against insecurity in Benue State is on account of their commitment and resilience.”
Some IRT operatives, who spoke with TNT on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that they have not been promoted even though they are due for promotion.
“They have denied us promotion but have promoted those in the office during the last promotion exercise. We are the people doing the job, and those who are there in the office in Abuja have been promoted.
“Some of us have hanged a star two years ago only for someone who hanged it just now to be given three stars? It is demoralising,” one of the officers confided in TNT.
Mr. Egbetokun, the current IGP, has been in office since June 19, 2023, with critics saying he has overstayed in office.
