The new Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba is
getting his first baptism of fire over an allegation of extending the service
years of some officers.
A group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria some days ago sent a
letter to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging irregularities in the Police
Force where a small number of officers who were due for retirement were given
tenure extension.
A source disclosed that the act was perfected by the
Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro who is regarded as a
politician who uses his position as head of the commission to influence and
execute some unlawful practice in the force.
Okiro was said to have solicited the assistance of the
former Inspector General, Abubakar to perfect a similar process for some
officers, a move which the ex-IG opposed claiming it was not in line with the
tradition of the force.
Investigations revealed that an officer, AIG Ilesanmi Aguda
of the Department of Air Wing got his letter of extension last week, a move
that irked many junior officers in the force.
The AIG is known in the force as ‘the Vice-President’s man’
as he pilots the Police helicopter for the Vice President, Namadi Sambo and
Senate President, David Mark.
The AIG is said to have always used his closeness to high
ranking government officials to curry favour and step up his promotions, the
latest one been the service extension after he had spent the mandatory 35 years
in service.
The disgruntled officers alleged that the acting IG is under
the control of Okiro who is said to be very manipulative and uses the force to
carry out the wish of his political allies.
The allegation was said to have reached the President who
has called for an investigation into the matter.
THE LETTER
Dear Mr President,
CALL OKIRO TO ORDER NOW!
We want to call your attention to an ugly trend that has now
found its way into the Nigerian Police Force and threatens to break the norms
and tradition of the institution.
It is mandatory for any officer who had served in the force
for 35 years to retire. This has been the normal practice known through the
rank and file of the Police force.
But to the dismay of many of us, we found that some
‘favoured’ officers who are presently due for retirement have been granted a
year extension.
This irregularity has created discord in the Police Force as
the action has barred many officers from been promoted.
Our investigation revealed that this unfortunate incident is
perfected by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro and the
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba which proves that the
Acting-IG is not independent as a letter of extension has already been given
some days ago to an AIG in Abuja.
Mr President, we can confirm to you that a similar action
was proposed to the former Inspector General of Police who vehemently kicked
against it based on his understanding of the bad blood the practice could
generate among the officers.
We now want to understand why the Acting Inspector General
approved what his predecessor opposed during his tenure.
Your Excellency, we are made to understand that the officers
who have their years of service extended are close to some influential
politicians and we want to implore you to use your good office to correct this
anomaly.
Mr President, we commend your good works and we know that
Okiro and his cohorts are bent on tarnishing your good image with their selfish
acts that will do no good to the force.
We call on you to act quickly and prevent this act of
favouritism from taking place.
Long live Mr President! Long live the Federal Republic of
Nigeria!!
Signed: Concerned Citizens Association
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