The Nigerian Police Force has sacked 18 cops for various offences, including abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and extortion.
This is according to media reports that analyzed the number of dismissals in October and December of 2022, as well as April of 2023.
On October 4, 2022, the Police Service Commission dismissed seven senior police officers over alleged gross misconduct. In addition, they approved the demotion of 10 other officers.
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The dismissal of these officers was a step in the right direction toward accountability and transparency within the Nigerian Police Force.
The Security Force was working to ensure that officers were held to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has recently made public the dismissal of eight police officers in Imo State, Nigeria.
Among them were a Chief Superintendent of Police, a Superintendent of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police. One Superintendent of Police was also retired in the public interest. The commission also reduced the ranks of eleven other officers.
Commissioner of Police Muhammed Berde disclosed on December 22, 2022, that the officers were dismissed for flagrant abuse of police standard practice. The PSC’s decision to dismiss and demote these officers was a clear indication of the severity of their actions.
On April 13, 2023, the NPF dismissed three senior policemen, Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu and Sergeants Abdullahi Badamasi and Isah Danladi, for their misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline, and wastage of live ammunition.
These officers were caught on video shooting into the air while serving as escorts to a Kano musician— a behavior termed unacceptable and against the principles of the NPF.
In addition, on April 19, 2023, the Delta State Police Command dismissed Inspector Ubi Ebri for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man, Onyeka Ibe, along Ugbolu-Illah Road in Asaba.
The reason for the killing was allegedly due to Ibe’s refusal to give a bribe of N100. This type of behavior was not only illegal but also immoral and goes against the values of the NPF.
Commenting on the development, Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi expressed his admiration for Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for his efforts to maintain discipline within the Nigerian police force.
As the Managing Partner at Law Corridor, Olajengbesi believed that if the energy and value for professionalism and strict discipline were sustained, the police force would experience a significant turnaround— an act that could lead to a reduction in extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by policemen.
He said:
“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.”
