The Nigerian Police Force dismissed no fewer than 18 cops for various offences ranging from abuse of power to gross indiscipline and extortion.

This is according to an analysis of media reports showing the number of cops dismissed in October and December, 2022, and April, 2023.

On October 4, 2022, the Police Service Commission dismissed seven senior police officers over alleged gross misconduct and approved the demotion of 10 other officers.

The PSC said the dismissed officers included a Chief Superintendent of Police, one Superintendent of Police, and five Assistant Superintendents of Police. It added that one SP was retired in public interest.

The commission also reduced the ranks of a CSP to SP, three SPs to DSPs; two DSPs to ASPs, and four ASPs to Inspectors.

On December 22, 2022, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Berde, disclosed that his command dismissed seven policemen for fragrant abuse of police standard practice.

The NPF on April 13, 2023, dismissed three senior policemen over misuse of firearms, abuse of power, gross indiscipline and wastage of live ammunition.

The officers – Inspector Dahiru Shuaibu and Sergeants Abdullahi Badamasi and Isah Danladi – formerly attached to a Kano musician as escorts were caught on video shooting into the air.

The Delta State Police Command on April 19, 2023, dismissed Inspector Ubi Ebri for allegedly killing a 26-year-old man, Onyeka Ibe, along Ugbolu-Illah Road in Asaba for allegedly refusing to give a bribe of N100.

Meanwhile, an Abuja-based human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for maintaining discipline in the Force.

Olajengbesi, who is the Managing Partner at Law Corridor, said if the energy and value for professionalism and strict discipline were sustained, the police would witness significant turnaround that would significantly reduce extrajudicial killings and abuse of firearms by policemen.

He added, “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”. (Text, excluding headline: Saturday PUNCH)

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