Posted by By MURPHY GANAGANA, Abuja on
No fewer than 5,000 officers and men are to be eased out of the Nigeria Police before the end of this month as part of on-going reforms approved by the Federal Government.
No fewer than 5,000 officers and men are to be eased out of the Nigeria Police before the end of this month as part of on-going reforms approved by the Federal Government.
Already, the offices of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Welfare Department and the Force secretary at the Force Headquarters, in Abuja, have started compiling names of officers and men who are to be dismissed or compulsorily retired from service in the next few weeks.
Confirming the development, Commissioner of police and Force Public Relations Officer, Haz Iwendi, however said he was not aware of the criteria used in compiling names of the affected officers.
"The down-sizing exercise has just begun and it is in line with government's reform programme. I cannot tell you how many officers are affected because presently, they are still compiling the names and it is only when they turn in their report that I can tell you the criteria and other issues involved," he said on telephone.
However, authoritative police sources told Daily Sun that pending disciplinary matters, ill-health, drunkenness, persistent absence from duty and low productivity, to be determined by personnel evaluation forms for the past three years, are the major criteria used for the rationalization exercise.
Daily Sun gathered that almost all the state police commands and other formations nationwide have forwarded their lists to the Force Headquarters for final screening and compilation, which is scheduled to be completed by this weekend.
Explaining the one week ultimatum given for completion of the exercise, a senior police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said: "It appears this month (January) salary has been tied to completion of the exercise because the new personnel strength will determine how much will be released to us for the new pay package, which is expected to take off from this month."
Expectedly, there are fears that the downsizing of the force by over 5,000 personnel in this crucial year of general elections and rising crime wave would further compound the security problems across the country.
Meanwhile, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Parry Osayande, has been tipped as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), to replace Chief Simeon Okeke, whose board was dissolved early last month.