President Buhari authorized a new wage structure for the Force in 2021.
Some disgruntled police officers have vowed to boycott the 2023 general elections unless the government pay the six-month arrears of the new remuneration structure approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the Force.
President Buhari authorized a new wage structure for the Force in 2021.
The implementation of the agreed police salary structure was meant to begin in January 2022, but it did not begin until July 2022, with just one month’s arrears of payment and six months outstanding.
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The police, on the other hand, stated that the Nigerian government had not issued the funds for the payment.
The police officials stated in a wireless message marked “Ingenpol Sec/Nigpol Admin/Dfa/Dia Abuja Paymech/Accountpol All States” from NIGPOL PAB FHQ Abuja to various police formations in Nigeria, which Newsmen received, that the finance ministry would have to sanction the cash.
The payment would be made through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, according to the statement (IPPIS).
Speaking to Newsmen on Friday, one of the disgruntled police officers said that if their six-month salary arrears are not paid, they will not assist in the monitoring of the general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has set February 25 and March 11 as the dates for the country’s general elections in 2023.
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According to the officer, who is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, if they are mobilized to watch the elections violently, they would not perform their jobs as expected.
He stated that the Nigerian government had authorized monies for the payment of their arrears, but that the police leadership, beginning with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, diverted the cash and refused to pay police officers.
“Up till now, our six-month arrears haven’t been paid, the authorities said it’s IPPIS, but IPPIS said it’s the police authorities. Ongoing rumour has it that the money is missing, funny country.
“Unfortunately, the senior officers aren’t saying anything serious about it because they know their pockets are always full. December is coming and junior officers need money to sort out their various personal problems.”
Another officer said, “We have wicked leadership, those who don’t care about their followers. Selfish people. They shouldn’t forget that the 2023 general elections are coming up. Many of our colleagues aren’t interested in monitoring any election at all, the morale is down.
“They may want to force us to go and monitor the poll but one thing is certain, we can’t be forced to do the job right when morale is not there. Like they do say, you can force a horse to the river, but you can’t force him to drink water.”
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