"We Are Suffering" – Police Officers In Oyo Decry Lack Of Promotion After Four Years

At least 300 police officers serving under the Oyo State Command have been left out of a recent nationwide promotion exercise, SaharaReporters has learnt.

"On the 16 of July, there was general promotion for the junior ranks across the federation but all my mate serving under Oyo State command were exempted from the promotion," a source told SaharaReporters.

Findings by SaharaReporters revealed that the last time the affected officers were promoted was in November 2020.

Another officer expressed frustration over the silence of authorities. "Till this present time, none of us can actually state who was responsible for the omission because nobody has come out to address us about it."

According to the sources, the disparity has left them behind their colleagues in other commands.

"Our mate serving in other commands were promoted to inspector while here in Oyo State, we are still sergeant, it is over two months now and our mates are gradually going ahead of us, we were recruited the same day and our promotion is always same day but for the 16 of July promotion, we don't know why we were not promoted alongside."

It was gathered that while officers in other states are already wearing the new rank of inspector, those in Oyo State remain stuck as sergeants.

However, sources noted that the sergeants "who are attached to mobile police force, SPU and boarder patrol in Oyo State are promoted to inspector."

Despite the growing discontent, there has been no official explanation for the omission.

Different sources told SaharaReporters that the refusal to promote the officers has left them demoralised and stagnant.

"We have kept suffering and there has been stagnation due to the refusal to promote us," an affected official said.

"It is affecting us, imagine when you need to salute or give an official compliment to your mate who has now become your senior because of omission or error."

There have been concerns over promotion exercise of the Nigerian Police Force, with many alleging foul play, bias and poor accountability.

In one instance, different family sources and top police insiders, said that while various officers were promoted, CSP Ibrahim Sini — who rejected a bribe of N150 million in 2024 — was not included in the promotion list.

"Given the feat of rejecting the amount, everyone had thought he would be specially promoted this year but we were all surprised that nothing came forth. How do you want to encourage such integrity," a source within the Force had told SaharaReporters.

Family sources of the affected officer, who reached out to SaharaReporters under anonymity, stated that although he was not making a fuss about the situation, they were disappointed at the absence of compensation or a special reward system for such an honourable act.

"When we heard of the promotions we had thought by default that his name would be there but it was not. While the officer is saying he will continue to serve with merit, we expected that atleast he would be recognised, that's how the police can thrive," the family source had said.