Nigerian Police Personnel From 53rd, 54th Recruitment Intakes Protest Omission From Constable-To-Corporal Promotion Exercise | Sahara Reporters

The affected personnel said they had continued to serve in the Nigeria Police Force and discharge their duties but were left out of the latest promotion exercise, despite the promotion allegedly being overdue for some of them.

Some personnel of the 53rd and 54th Police Recruitment Intakes have appealed to the Nigeria Police Force authorities to investigate their omission from the recent promotion exercise for eligible constables to the rank of corporal.

The affected personnel said they had continued to serve in the Nigeria Police Force and discharge their duties but were left out of the latest promotion exercise, despite the promotion allegedly being overdue for some of them.

In an appeal made available to SaharaReporters, the affected personnel urged the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu and other relevant authorities to review their records and establish why they were not included in the exercise.

“We wish to draw the attention of the public, the Nigeria Police Force authorities, and relevant stakeholders to the situation of some members of the 53rd and 54th Police Recruitment Intakes who were omitted from the recent promotion exercise from Constable to Corporal,” the police personnel stated in their appeal.

According to the personnel, some of their colleagues who met the applicable requirements were promoted, while others from the same recruitment intakes were left out.

The omission, they said, had created uncertainty and concern among affected officers who had expected to progress to the next rank.

“This omission has caused concern among the affected personnel, particularly as the promotion is already overdue for those who have fulfilled the applicable requirements,” they said.

The personnel appealed to the IGP Disu to order an administrative review of the matter and verify the records of those who were excluded.

“We respectfully appeal to the Inspector-General of Police and the relevant authorities to look into the circumstances surrounding the omission, verify the records of the affected personnel, and ensure that those who are eligible are given appropriate consideration in accordance with the rules and procedures governing promotion in the Nigeria Police Force,” the appeal stated.

Some of the affected personnel, however, expressed fears that publicly raising the issue could expose them to disciplinary action or other repercussions within the police system.

One of them, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed for an independent investigation into the matter, describing the number of affected personnel as substantial.

“I am afraid. I don’t want this to cause issues for me. We are very plenty and you know how the police are,” the officer said.

According to the officer, the affected personnel are spread across several commands.

“We are very plenty, about two commands and still counting, like Kebbi and Zamfara states,” the officer said.

The affected personnel said they had waited for about three months without receiving a clear explanation on the matter.

The personnel stressed that their complaint was not intended to undermine the authority of the Nigeria Police Force but to seek clarification and an administrative resolution.

“We are making this appeal respectfully and peacefully. Our intention is not to challenge the authority of the Nigeria Police Force, but to seek clarification, fairness, and an administrative review of the situation,” they said.

They called on the police authorities to address the matter and ensure that personnel who meet the applicable promotion requirements are considered in accordance with established procedures.

The personnel are also seeking clarification from the Nigeria Police Force on the criteria used for the recent promotion exercise and why some members of the 53rd and 54th recruitment intakes were reportedly excluded.

The affected personnel are urging the police authorities to review the relevant records and provide clarity on the matter.

Efforts to reach Force Public Relations Officer CSP Anietie Iniedu for clarification were unsuccessful. He did not answer his calls or respond to a text message as of the time of filing this report.