Force PRO Debunks Reports On Planned Strike By Police Personnel 

The Police High Command has described the alleged planned strike by police personnel as “false and fake news.”

This is as the command debunked the rumoured planned strike of members of the Force slated to hold in Lagos State.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as gathered by Naija News, took to the micro-blogging platform Twitter to debunk the alleged report of the strike.

It was learnt that his reaction is following a publication by one online news platform on a purported planned mega protest in Lagos by the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force over alleged six-month unpaid arrears.

This platform understands that the said online platform noted in the report that only grade levels 03, 04, 05, 06 and a few 07 police officers were paid arrears while those in grade levels 08, 09, 10 and 11 were not paid.

The report also alleged that sources say Assistant Commissioners of Police up to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had however been paid four months’ arrears.

“They started paying last week but it was stopped on Tuesday, January 4, 2023. Everywhere is quiet and nobody can say this is the cause,” a source had claimed.

The report added that another senior police officer (name withheld) said, “Senior inspectors from Lagos police command are planning to protest at the Lagos command Headquarters on Monday over the unpaid six months arrears.

“Police officers who did not collect their six months arrears are creating WhatsApp groups to gather numbers for the protest on Monday in Lagos.

“It has been two weeks now but no communication from police authorities concerning the arrears, and Mobile Police officers are threatening to protest; that is why the IGP called all the Squadron Commanders for retraining but it was a warning; not training.”

However, the FPRO in his reaction to the said report explained that policemen protesting or embarking on strike was not possible.

In a series of tweets, Adejobi submitted that “Most times, I laugh when I read what some bloggers and news platforms write or publish on policing in Nigeria. This news, at times, look sponsored because they lack professional touches and merit. They are garnished with and full of lies, unfounded issues, assumptions, presumptions, etc.

“Police Force is not a labour union or group where its personnel meet and deliberate on protest or strike. It’s not possible. We know and are aware of some ‘don’ts’ in the NPF being a regimental organisation. There is a particular news platform whose name sounds like or resembles a desert that will always want to stir up the NPF and our nation with its fake news, unfounded points, unguided arguments, and fallacies. We are disciplined in the police and uphold our ethics and sanctify traditions and doctrines.

“We appreciate the improvements in our welfare and conditions of service under this present administration. it’s unprecedented, and I am sure more goodies will come for police personnel as soon as possible.”