Mixed reactions as FG increases police salaries by 20%

Muhammad Dingyadi

Mixed reactions have been trailing the announcement on Wednesday by the Federal Government that it had approved a 20 per cent increase in salaries for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

Minister of police affairs Muhammad Dingyadi told journalists in Abuja after the federal executive council meeting that the increase will take effect from January 2022.

According to Dingyadi, the upward review is a product of the issues raised during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.

He said the move is meant to boost the morale of police personnel across the country.

According to him, the increased earning is one of the ways to improve the relationship between the police and the Nigerian populace.

He said the council also approved the review of police duty tour allowance and shift allowance to six per cent, and as well, the release of N1.2bn for the payment of uninsured benefits.

Dingyadi also announced a tax waiver of N18.6bn for the junior personnel. This will not be the first time the president is approving an increase in police salaries.

While some social media users distrust the government yet over the planned increase of police salaries, others think it would not make any difference.

See reactions culled from Instagram below:

@Ohsoyou_kay said, “If I hear say dem stop to dey collect #50 for road.”

@Onyinyechistephen said, “It will help them stop collecting #50 from drivers.”

@Poshest_hope wrote, “Just 20%? It’s too small please. Pay them well so they can treat citizens right. Nawa o.”

@Liz_world25_ said, “They won’t still give them. These people called government be clowns.”

@Official_bobby_fredrick said, “Wooo them go spend half of the salary on top beer n pork meat.”

@Funmi_ella said, “That’s if the increased salary would get to them.”

@Queen.olanike wrote, “Pls why not 100%? It may reduce crime rate.”