Police bosses dismiss nine rank-and-file officers for demanding better working conditions

INSPECTOR-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the dismissal of nine policemen over allegations that they were the ones demanding a wage increase and were planning to lead a nationwide strike to achieve their aims.

Over recent weeks, there has been a lot of talk about a planned police strike to protest their poor working conditions and remuneration packages. As a result, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters in Abuja has had sleepless nights over fears that junior officers would embark on industrial action any moment from now.

Among the grievances the policemen have are poor pay, a lack of weapons to fight criminals, a failure to supply uniforms and accoutrements and promotion delays. Demands made to the NPF high command include a request that their minimum wage should not be lower than N100,000,  as is the case with Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives.

In an attempt to stop the strike slated for March 26, Mr Baba reached out to all commands and police formations across the nation, making promises and assuring his men of improved welfare conditions going forward. Although the strike and nationwide protest did not take place, the police authorities went ahead to arrest nine officers, who have now been dismissed.

Among them are two inspectors, five sergeants and two police constables. Their sacking was conveyed through a police message signed by the commissioner of police provost, force headquarters, Abuja on April 4.

His message said the men were dismissed following an orderly room trial for planning and coordinating a strike within the ranks and file of the police. They were identified as: Inspector Amos Nagurah, Inspector Nanoll Lamak, Sergeant Emmanuel Isah, Sergeant Franklin Agughalu, Sergeant Adesina Ismail, Sergeant Onoja Onuche, Sergeant Osoteku Ademola, Police Constable Ehighamhen Favour Ebele and Police Constable Ubong Inem.

According to force headquarters, they were sacked for discreditable conduct, improper conduct, breach of confidence, and planning, organising and coordinating industrial strike within the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force. Commissioners of police commands and formations concerned were asked to de-kit the men and eject them from the police accommodation and facilities and delete them from payrolls immediately.

This dismissal, however, is already brewing bad blood within the ranks of police, as rank and file members sat the act was an indication that the inspector general of police has no plans to improve their welfare. It is now feared that some policemen are planning to turn in their resignation letters, while others may revisit the need for industrial action.