The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has appealed to the officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to shelve their planned strike, saying there are better days ahead.
Baba said that any strike action embarked upon by policemen in the country would be viewed as a “mutiny” which would attract disciplinary action.
The IGP, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), in charge of Southwest, Johnson Kokumo, stated this on Thursday while addressing the officers of Ondo State Police Command in Akure.
He explained that, although the Federal Government had announced the increment in the salary of the policemen, he said the process of its execution was still ongoing.
He said, “There is a need for us to reach out to you all. At times when certain things are working in your favour, one will not blame you because you are not informed. We need to let you know what the federal government and the President, Muhammadu Buhari, and the Inspector General of Police have in offing for the personnel of the Police force.
“President (Buhari) announced a salary increase from his benevolence. The salary increase is now being processed, and computations have already begun. There is a procedure and process that it must take and there are also numbers of departments that it must also pass through and these sections of the police are working hard to ensure that we have this salary increase effected any moment from now.
“We would have smiles on our faces soon but let me caution that you don’t allow disgruntled elements to lure you into anything criminal or inimical to your work or your profession. I know the arrangements on the ground. I want you to sit down and look at the percentage of salary increase. The computing of this salary increment has to do with enough time of diligence.
“We need to work diligently for the actualization of these prayers and not to engage in any strike. You all know the consequences of mutiny. You will never be found guilty of committing mutiny, that is just my prayer,” he said.
While asking police personnel to eschew unethical behaviours, the IGP charged them to discharge their duties in accordance with the law.
He said the police needed to respect the rights of the citizens, reminding them that their salaries were being paid from the taxpayers’ fund.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Police, Mr Oyediran Oyeyemi said the rank and file of the police in the state are fully in support of the IGP.
(Credit: Daily Trust, excluding headline)
