The Nigerian Police Force has dismissed more than 18 officers for violations ranging from abuse of power to gross indiscipline and coercion. This is based on an analysis of media reports showing the number of police officers fired in October, December 2022, and April 2023.
On October 4, 2022, the Police Service Board approved the dismissal of seven senior police officers. They also approved the demotion of ten of her other officers on suspicion of gross misconduct. The dismissed officers included the Chief Superintendent of Police, one Superintendent of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police. It added that one SP was retired in the interest of the public.
The Committee also de-ranked one CSP to SP and three SPs to DSP. 2 DSPs to ASP, and 4 ASPs to Inspector.
On December 22, 2022, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde also disclosed similar information. His command also dismissed seven officers for the abuse of police standard practice. The NPF on April 13, 2023, dismissed three senior officers over misuse of firearms. The list also includes abuse of power, gross indiscipline and wastage of live ammunition. The officers – Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu and Sergeants Abdullahi Badamasi and Isah Danladi – formerly attached to a Kano musician as escorts were caught on video shooting into the air.
The Delta State Police Command on April 19, 2023, dismissed Inspector Ubi Ebri for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man. Onyeka Ibe, along Ugbolu-Illah Road in Asaba for allegedly refusing to give a bribe of N100.
Meanwhile, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for maintaining discipline in the Force.
Olajengbesi, who is the Managing Partner at Law Corridor, said the energy and value for professionalism and strict discipline should be sustained. He claimed the force would witness a significant turnaround that would reduce extrajudicial killings. It would also reduce the abuse of firearms by officers if this continues.
He added –
“IG Usman Alkali Baba in recent times has clearly demonstrated leadership acumen and a sense of responsibility by ensuring that officers who have acted unlawfully are brought to book. We have witnessed the dismissal, demotion and prosecution of officers who have been involved in criminal activities, ranging from extortion and brutality to extra-judicial killings.
“Such actions by the IG will no doubt send a strong signal to other officers who may be contemplating similar actions that such behaviours will not be further tolerated in the police. Equally laudable is the emphasis on extending punitive actions against the commanders with direct oversight functions over notorious police units.”
cc: Punch Ng
