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Concerns Over Deployment Practices in the Nigerian Police Force

Let’s talk about something that’s been making waves in the Nigerian police force recently. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), are facing some heat for allegedly going against the Police Act 2020 when it comes to assigning Commissioners of Police (CPs) to state commands across the nation. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about fairness and representation.

Understanding the Police Act 2020

According to the Police Act 2020, both the PSC and the IGP have the authority to assign CPs to state commands. But here’s the kicker: the law also lays out some pretty clear guidelines about how these assignments should be made to ensure equitable distribution across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The Act doesn’t just stop there—it also emphasizes the importance of the Federal Character principle, which ensures that every state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) gets its fair share of representation among CPs leading state commands.

Let me break this down for you. Section 12(2) of Part IV of the Act states that the Police Service Commission is responsible for assigning CPs to state commands and the FCT. It’s a pretty straightforward directive. And then there’s Section 12(4), which adds that these assignments must reflect the Federal Character principle as outlined in the Constitution and relevant laws. What this means is that the South West and South South zones, with six states each, should ideally have six CPs each. The South East, with five states, should have five CPs, and the North, with its 19 states, should logically have 19 CPs.

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Unpacking the Imbalance

But here’s the rub. Investigations by Daily Sun have uncovered a pattern of deployment that seems to favor the North and South West, leaving the South East and South South feeling left out. As it stands, 10 CPs from the South West are reportedly in charge of state commands in places like Rivers, Delta, Lagos, FCT, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Cross River, and Plateau. Meanwhile, the South South has just two CPs, and the South East has a mere one. The North, on the other hand, boasts 23 CPs in charge of state commands.

This kind of imbalance hasn’t gone unnoticed within the police force. A retired police officer, who chose to remain anonymous, pointed out that when a state doesn’t have a CP leading a state command at any given time, it’s a clear violation of the Police Act. Another retired Assistant Inspector General of Police added that no commissioner from the South East has ever served in Lagos or Kano, while CPs from the North and South West have frequently served in the South East.

A Look Back at Past Incidents

This isn’t the first time such issues have come up. Remember when former IGP Mike Okiro tried to post Donald Iroham, a CP from Imo State, to Lagos? Well, that plan didn’t exactly go as intended. The posting was reversed mid-journey, and Iroham ended up in Kwara State instead. It’s situations like these that raise eyebrows and fuel concerns about fairness and transparency in the deployment process.

Responding to the Allegations

Not everyone sees it the same way, though. Ikechukwu Ani, the Public Relations Officer of the PSC, dismissed these claims, arguing that CP postings are anything but static. According to Ani, it’s not about favoring one region over another; it’s about the dynamic nature of these appointments. “There comes a time when it may favor a particular region,” he explained.

Ani also highlighted that the South East currently has two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, which is more than any other region. He stressed that the IGP, as the head of operations, knows best when it comes to assigning CPs based on their abilities rather than seniority. He assured everyone that new postings are on the horizon, and with some CPs set to retire soon, there’s hope that these changes might benefit the underrepresented regions.

In conclusion, Ani maintained that there’s no marginalization happening. The IGP, he insisted, understands the capabilities of every CP under his command and assigns them accordingly. So, while the debate continues, the hope is that future assignments will reflect the principles of fairness and representation enshrined in the Police Act 2020.

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