Image
November 15, 2022
SaharaReporters had reported how the police officers were detained in Abuja, alongside others who lamented that the authorities were deducting their monthly salaries without explanation.
Over 50 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who were detained for complaining about the non-payment of their six months' arrears of the new salary structure President Muhammadu Buhari approved for the Force in 2021 have been released.
This was confirmed to SaharaReporters by one of the victims on Tuesday who said the officers had all returned to their commands.
“I am here to inform you that those, who were arrested and detained at Abuja because of salary arrears, have been released to report back to their various commands,” the source told SaharaReporters.
SaharaReporters had reported how the police officers were detained in Abuja, alongside others who lamented that the authorities were deducting their monthly salaries without explanation.
President Buhari had in 2021 approved a new salary structure President Muhammadu Buhari approved for the Force.
The approved police salary structure which its implementation was supposed to have commenced in January 2022 only started in July 2022 with only one-month arrears of payment, with six months outstanding.
However, the police authorities claimed that the Nigerian government had not released the funds for the payment.
The police authorities in a wireless message referenced DTO: 201220/09/2022 from NIGPOL PAB FHQ Abuja to various police formations in Nigeria and titled: "INGENPOL SEC/NIGPOL ADMIN/DFA/DIA ABUJA PAYMECH/ACCOUNTPOL ALL STATES", which was obtained by SaharaReporters said the finance ministry would have to approve the funds.
It said the payment would be done through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The wireless message partly read: "CV:3940/PB/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.46/5 salary arrangement, 20% reviewed Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS) WEF January 2022. Implementation commenced in the month of July 2022 with six (6) months outstanding salary differential (I.E January - June 2022).
"INGENPOL direct you lecture officers and men yours on personnel cost that IPPIS Unit of the Office of the Account General of the Federation (OAGF) has the sole responsibility of police personnel cost fund and payment of police personnel salaries respectively. It should be clarified that neither INGENPOL nor NIGPOL PAB has any dealing with the already existing structure.
"However, because salary is welfare in nature, the force follow-up with IPPIS to ensure police personnel get their emoluments as at when due. For the six (6) months’ salary arrears differential, IPPIS is in possession of the approval, awaiting administrative procedures for cash-backing by Federal Ministry of Finance. After which payment will be effected. Any information contrary to this should be ignored and regarded as fake-news.”
"Ensure you properly warn all personnel serving yours on strict compliance as any violation will attract disciplinary actions. Treat as matter of urgency and very important please," the message further read.
A source insisted that the Nigerian government had released the money for the six months’ arrears but the leadership of the police starting with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, diverted the fund and refused to pay it to personnel.
The source who is an Inspector had said many of his colleagues who spoke out against the non-payment of the arrears were arrested and detained in Abuja.
“They have refused to pay us our money, which the IGP shifted the blame on IPPIS. If he is truly after our welfare, what step has he taken over this matter? Over 50 police officers are in detention because of this arrears issue and some were dismissed underground, everyone is afraid for the fear of dismissal,” the source had said.
“What they are doing is track you through social media, locate you and take you to Abuja. Within Delta State alone, nine personnel were arrested in September and uplifted to Abuja by air from Asaba airport.
“Up till now, they haven't been released. For example someone posted on a WhatsApp group that the IGP and some DIGs are trying to share the arrears. Everyone that shared the message was arrested.”
When contacted, the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, had said he wasn’t aware of any arrest.
“Will find out, but I doubt it,” he said in a WhatsApp message to SaharaReporters.