Prioritize Police welfare, Group urges President Tinubu

Following the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun's order on Police to stop arbitrary arrests, detentions, and human rights abuses of young persons especially young persons in the Country, a group, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace” today urged the President Bola Tinubu's led Federal Government of Nigeria to prioritize the welfare of policemen.

In a statement sent to Our Correspondent in Warri, ISRCA National Coordinator, Comrade(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen suggested that the Federal Government must provide junior and senior officers with good salary schemes, prioritizing their basic needs to make the police profession more attractive and respectable.

According to the group, "This would also attract well-enumerated graduates to join the Nigeria Police. He said, traditionally, the Nigeria Police Force has been the last hope for job seekers. 

The group said the Federal Government should understand that the welfare and improvement of the police are vital in shaping their attitudes and conduct, which ultimately benefits society at large.

The group noted that despite strict measures put in place,police misconduct remains a problem among Nigeria Police Officers.

It argued that,“Of what essence, is the hiring and firing of erring officers when its commission can improve their lives, preventing these lingering issues among the Nigeria Police Force?” Of what essence, is the promotion and demotion of police personnel  when their welfare is  prioritized that enable  them to live a befitting life during and after service, this, compared  them to these unlawful behaviours?”  

While commending the Nigeria Police Force, NPF under the previous Inspector Generals of Police and the current Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as well as various State Commissioners of Police, for consistently approving funds for Police officers who have been victims of different situations or for families of Police officers who died in active service,the group said,"More efforts need to be put in place to ensure the wellbeing of every serving Police officer, regardless of rank. There's a lot to be done to strengthen democracy."

It would be recalled that the Insoector-General of Police,IGP Kayode Egbetokun on the 17th of December 2024 ordered an immediate stop to arbitrary arrests, detentions, and human rights abuses. Also, arbitrary phone checks must end. 

The group said this is not the first time such directives/orders have been issued as some Police Commands, Areas, and Divisions, along with monitoring units, continue to disregard them. 

"These actions are unlawful, unpatriotic, and erode democratic principles, raising the question of accountability.

"In a sane society, serving Police officers' children would receive scholarships, enabling them to access quality education easily. 

"However, this is unattainable when the Police themselves are maltreated. The Police profession has lost its appeal, as people join the Nigeria Police for selfish reasons, seeking to exploit their position for personal gain rather than serving the public and honoring their oath."