IGP debunks rumour of planned strike by police

IGP Usman Baba

Inspector-general of police (IGP) Usman Baba has debunked rumour that the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) are preparing to down tools from March 26, 2022.

Baba said the publication which contained the information was fake, adding that it was a “mischievous attempt by unscrupulous individuals to bring the Force to disrepute, misinform the general public and heat up the polity.”

In a statement on Monday, the IGP restated that the NPF is a regimented and disciplined organisation with laid down rules and guidelines for addressing grievances and in no circumstance is a strike action one of such means.

“The men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are fully aware that a strike action or other deliberate disruption of law enforcement services by any security organisation is mutinous and the personnel of the Force would not degenerate at any point to that level of disloyalty and indiscipline, as policing services are paramount and essential in the maintenance of orderliness and peace in the nation.

“It is pertinent to emphasise that the IGP is accelerating efforts to ensure the full implementation of the increment of salaries and allowances proposed by the President and approved by the Federal Executive Council. It is important to accentuate that it was the President’s initiative without any demand from the Police to direct the process of increasing salaries and allowances. The Federal Government is therefore fully committed to the implementation of the new salary package” IGP said.

Baba clarified that since the approval, the Salaries and Wages Commission has issued an implementation circular, the minister of police affairs and him have been working with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to ensure the stoppage of tax deductions as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.