The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Suleiman Abba has warned policemen against embarking on any strike over alleged unpaid salaries.
In a statement in Abuja, Abba said the leadership of the Nigeria Police was mindful of its responsibility towards staff welfare and was appalled by an alleged threat by police officers to go on strike.
The statement reads in part:” the attention of Police High Command has been drawn to a media publication captioned “Policemen threaten strike over unpaid salaries”. At the outset, it is pertinent to state that the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force is mindful of its responsibility towards the welfare of the workforce; part of which is promotion and recognition of hard work”.
“As expected, every promotion attracts some financial benefits and which have been deeply considered in the course of processing and approving the promotions. For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigeria Police Force is working assiduously with the relevant government departments and agencies to effect the payment of the promotion arrears”.
“Meanwhile, all promoted officers have since January, 2015 been enjoying the salaries commensurate to their new ranks. It needs to be stated for the umpteenth time that the Nigeria Police Force is founded on the bedrock of discipline and loyalty. The Police Regulation has provided enough windows for aggrieved officers to ventilate their grievance”.
“As such, the IGP is miffed that the officers have to recourse to unapproved channels to air their perceived grievances. The IGP therefore, warns such officers of dire consequences of breaching extant rules and regulations”, the statement added.
