Out of 22 serving Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in Nigeria, NONE is Igbo or from the South-East, while the North-West, from which Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar, hails has eleven.

This is one of the shocking facts uncovered by the International Society for Civil Liberties & the Rule of Law (Intersociety) in its extensive investigation into the rot in the Nigeria Police Force. The group in the second half of its fresh petition dated February 27, 2014, unequivocally declared that “a case of grave and gross lopsidedness and domination of the Nigeria Police Force on sectional and ethno-religious grounds has been indisputably established against IGP Mohammed D. Abubakar headship of the Force. This policy is infamous, coupist and unconstitutional.”

Intersociety in the petition jointly signed by Board Chairman Umeagbalasi and Head, Publicity Desk, Justus Ijeoma, pointed out that “one of the main reasons why the present NPF failed woefully to tame the rising group crimes in Nigeria, particularly the Boko insurgency is because of sectional and ethno-religious domination of its high command, and promotion of policing mediocrity and unprofessionalism.” The group warned that “if this degraded and lopsided policy is not tackled in the NPF before the 2015 general polls, Nigeria will not only go up in flames, but will also become a killing field. In an ethno-religiously and politically divided country like Nigeria, its police force top ranks and personnel must be ethno-religiously and geopolitically balanced; otherwise hell will let loose!”

The petition was addressed to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, and Executive Chairman, Federal Character Commission, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Mbama Okiro. It is copied to the Inspector General of Police himself, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha.

Below is the concluding part, which contains far-reaching recommendations on how to rescue and reposition the NPF:

“With the 19th February 2014 promotions under reference, the geopolitical representation of all serving senior police officers occupying the ranks of CSP to IGP, other than 242 newly promoted CSPs, who are ethno-religiously and geopolitically being investigated; shows that one serving IGP comes from Northwest zone. Out of seven serving DIGs, Northwest has two, Southeast one, South-south one, Southwest one, North-central one and Northeast one. Out of 22 serving AIGs, Northwest has eleven, North-central five, Southwest three, South-south two, Northeast one and Southeast zero. Out of 93 serving CPs, Northwest has 23, North-central 19, Southwest 16, Northeast 14, South-south 13 and Southeast 8.

“Out of 180 serving DCPs, South-south has 35, Southwest 35, Northwest 31, North-central 31, Northeast 28 and Southeast 20. Out of 398 ACPs, South-south has 89, Southwest 87, North-central 87, Northeast 57, Northwest 56 and Southeast 38. And in the CSP list that existed before 19th of February 2014 promotion of 242 SPs to CSPs, out of 906 CSPs then, Northwest had 186, South-south 155, North-central 152, Southwest 147, Southeast 142 and Northeast 122.

The above breakdown is numerically arranged as follows: (1) IGP: Northwest=1. (2) Seven DIGs: Northwest=2, Northeast=1, North-central=1, Southwest=1, South-south=1, Southeast=1. (3) 22 AIGs: Northwest=11, North-central=5, Southwest=3, South-south=2, Northeast=1, Southeast=zero. (4) 93 CPs: Northwest=23, North-central=19, Southwest=16, Northeast=14, South-south=13, Southeast=8. (5) 180 DCPs: South-south=35, Southwest=35, Northwest=31, North-central=31, Northeast=28, Southeast=20. (6) 398 ACPs: South-south=89, Southwest=87, North-central 87, Northeast=57, Northwest=57, Southeast=38. (7) 906 CSPs (before 19/02/2014 promotion): Northwest=186, South-south=155, North-central=152, Southwest=147, Southeast=142, Northeast=122. (9) 12 Zonal Commands (manned by AIGs): Northwest=8, North-central=2, Southwest=2, Northeast=zero, South-south=zero, Southeast=zero. (10) 37 State/FCT CPs: Northwest=12, South-south=8, North-central=7, Southwest=4, Southeast=4, Northeast=2. The foregoing breakdown clearly shows systematic domination of the promotions and postings as regards senior police officers by Northwest zone. Many, if not most of other strategic and juicy NPF field formations are also headed by officers from Northwest zone and others considered to be “bokwois”(first class citizens/born to rule).

“The eight AIGs from Northwest zone, manning NPF Zonal Commands are: Tambari Mohammed (AIG, Zone 1, Kano), Mamman Tsafe (AIG, Zone 2, Lagos), Mohammed J. Abubakar (AIG, Zone 3, Yola), Saliu Argungu Hashimu (AIG, Zone 5, Benin), Musa A. Daura (AIG, Zone 6, Calabar), Suleiman A. Abba (AIG, Zone 7, Abuja), Balla Nasarawa (AIG, Zone 9, Umuahia) and Suleiman Mamman (AIG, Zone 10, Sokoto). AIGs Christopher Dega (AIG, Zone 8, Lokoja) and Mohammed J. Gana (AIG, Zone 12, Bauchi) are from North-central geopolitical zone and AIGs David Omojola (AIG, Zone 11, Oshogbo) and Adeola Adeniji Adeleke (AIG, Zone 4, Makurdi) are from Southwest zone.

“The twelve CPs from Northwest zone manning State Commands are: Adamu Ibrahim (CP, Abia State Command), Umar Gbadebe (CP, Akwa Ibom State Command), Mohammed Ladan (CP, Bauchi State Command), Lawal Umaru Tanko (CP, Borno State Command), Maigari A. Diko (CP, Ebonyi State Command), Umaru Shehu (CP, Kaduna State Command), Hurdi D. Abubakar (CP, Katsina State Command), Saidu Madawaki (CP, Kogi State Command), Mohammed A. Indabawa (CP, Oyo State Command), Mohammed Maishanu (CP, Osun State Command), Sanusi A. Rufai (CP, Yobe State Command) and Ahmed Ibrahim (CP, Zamfara State Command).

“The eight State CPs of South-south origin are: A.J. Abakansanga (CP, Adamawa State Command), Mbu Mathew Mbu (CP, FCT Command), Benjamin Onwuka (CP, Kebbi State Command), Ambrose Aisabo (CP, Kwara State Command), Diseye Nsirim (CP, Niger State Command), Patrick Dey Dokumor (CP, Ondo State Command), Chris Olakpe (CP, Plateau State Command) and Kalafite Helen Adeyemi (CP, Taraba State Command). The seven State CPs of North-central origin are: Abubakar Adamu Mohammed (CP, Enugu State Command), Kudu A. Nima (CP, Gombe State Command), Abdulmajid Ali (CP, Imo State Command), Joe Theophilus (CP, Jigawa State Command), Ibrahim Idris (CP, Nasarawa State Command) and Shaibu Lawal Gambo (CP, Sokoto State Command).

“The four State CPs of Southwest origins are: Johnson Ogunsakin (CP, Rivers State Command), Adenrele Shinaba (CP, Kano State Command), A.K. Shodipo (CP, Cross River State Command) and Folunso Adebanjo (CP, Edo State Command). The four State CPs of Southeast origins are: Hilary Opara (CP, Bayelsa State Command), Ikechukwu Aduba (CP, Delta State Command), Felix Osita Uyanna (CP, Ekiti State Command) and Ikemuefula Okoye (CP, Ogun State Command). And the two State CPs of Northeast origins are: Usman Akila Gwarry (CP, Anambra State Command) and Adams Audu (CP, Benue State Command).

“Following from the foregoing, therefore, a case of grave and gross lopsidedness and domination of the Nigeria Police Force on sectional and ethno-religious grounds has been indisputably established against IGP Mohammed D. Abubakar headship of the Force. This policy is infamous, coupist and unconstitutional. A forensic analysis of the “CSP-IGP Senior Staff List of the NPF” clearly shows that names of serving senior police officers contained therein are arranged according to the dictates or whims and caprices of IGP Mohammed Abubakar led NPF Management Team. The arrangement of the said names is patently done to perpetuate in perpetuity ethno-religious domination, particularly to effect extinction of senior police officers of Southeast geopolitical zone. If the said list is used and retained for further promotions, it is a fact that no senior police officer from Southeast geopolitical zone will be made a CP, or an AIG or a DIG or an IGP in the next five promotion exercises or more.

“There is also a patent inconsistency in the policy of recruitment, promotion and posting used by the present NPF leadership. During recruitment, “federal character principle” is used and during the selection of DIGs, the principle is fairly applied, but when it comes to promotion of officers to DSP, SP, ACP, DCP, CP and AIG ranks and assignment of strategic duties, the principle is totally abandoned. The “seniority” criterion being bandied about by IGP Mohammed Abubakar leadership is also utterly deceitful and fallacious. For instance, there is strong evidence that Course 13 senior police officers (those who joined as graduate ASP Cadet in the last quarter of 1984) received ranks and juicy postings higher than their older Course counterparts.

“Those who joined the NPF in late 1980 and early 1981 with graduate certificates are usually referred to as Course 9, their late 1981 and early 1982 counterparts are called Course 10, the 1983 officers are called Course 11, the early 1984 officers are called Course 12 and the late 1984 officers are called Course 13 and vice versa. For instance, DIG Suleiman Dauda Fakai is a Course 12 senior police officer. He joined the NPF on 01/01/84. DIG Peter Yisa Gana is a Course 13 officer. He joined the NPF on 31/12/84. On the other hand, AIG Adeola Adeniji Adeleke is a Course 9 officer. He joined the NPF on 01/08/80. CPs Hilary Opara and Felix Osita Uyanna are Course 9 officers. They joined the NPF on 17/7/80 and 18/7/80 respectively. CP Chintua Amajor-Onu is a Course 10 officer. She joined the NPF on 01/12/81. She is presently the most senior woman police officer in the NPF, yet she is still a CP and has been in the rank since 20/12/2010. With the above stated example, the “seniority” logic being used by IGP Mohammed Abubakar led NPF to sectionalize promotions and postings in the Force are roundly and mercilessly crushed.

“Another shocking discovery in the course of our further investigations is the legal residency of the three-volume “NPF Officers’ List”, namely; “CSP-IGP Senior Police Staff List”, “ASP-SP Officers’ List” and “Constable-Inspector Officers’ List”. By Supplementary Section 30, under Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended in 2011 and Section 6 (1a-f) of the Police Service Commission Establishment Act of 4th January, 2001, the Police Service Commission is constitutionally responsible and mandated to “appoint and promote persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons so appointed and promoted (other than the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force”. With these clear-cut provisions, the residency of the three-volume NPF Officers’ List in the office of IGP Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, is unconstitutional and usurpation of the constitutional functions of the Police Service Commission. What the IGP ought to have are “office copies”. This explains why the PSC hardly investigates names forwarded to it to promote from the office of the IGP. The Commission promotes at will without recourse to constitutional and ethical yardsticks such as federal character principle and service conducts and outstanding performance index. There is also a strong allegation that unsubstantiated and fake medical reports (oral) are being used to stall the promotion of some disfavoured senior police officers, who run to the PSC for promotional justice.

“Where It Concerns Mr. President: In addition to our earlier demands contained in the three volumes’ letter under reference, dated 4th, 5th and 6th of February, 2014, we further demand that Mr. President, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces and Chairman of the Nigeria Police Council, should direct the IGP, Mr. Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar to, as a matter of uttermost immediacy, transfer and hands off the original copies, including the hard and soft copies of the NPF Officers’ Lists under reference to the Secretariat of the Police Service Commission for their rightful keeping and maintenance at all times.

“It is also very important to inform Mr. President that one of the main reasons why the present NPF failed woefully to tame the rising group crimes in Nigeria, particularly the Boko insurgency is because of sectional and ethno-religious domination of its high command, and promotion of policing mediocrity and unprofessionalism. We wish to further inform and warn that if this degraded and lopsided policy is not tackled in the NPF before the 2015 general polls, Nigeria will not only go up in flames, but will also become a killing field. In an ethno-religiously and politically divided country like Nigeria, its police force top ranks and personnel must be ethno-religiously and geopolitically balanced; otherwise hell will let loose!

“Where It Concerns The Leaderships Of The National Assembly: In addition to our earlier demands, we further demand that further empiricist details provided in this important letter of ours should be included in the legislative chambers’ investigations and expected actions.

“Where It Concerns The Chairman Of The Federal Character Commission: In addition to our earlier demands, it is our further demand that the Commission should not only include pieces of graphic information contained in this letter in its investigation and expected action, but also extend its investigation into the remaining two “NPF Officers’ Lists” (“ASP-SP Officers’ List” and “Constable-Inspector Officers’ List”).

“Where It Concerns The Chairman Of The Police Service Commission: We demand the immediate stoppage of further promotions of persons into NPF various offices and ranks on the basis of the fraudulent and ethno-religiously and geopolitically lopsided NPF Officers’ Lists, particularly “CSP-IGP Senior Police Staff List”, until they are comprehensively investigated and restructured along federal character, equity and fairness lines. The names in the three lists should be totally re-arranged in line with federal character principle stipulation. The “CSP-IGP” list should be overhauled with an embargo on further promotion of senior officers of any geopolitical zone found to have dominated senior ranking positions to the disadvantage of other zones. Such embargo should particularly be placed on senior officers of Northwest zone in AIG and CP rankings. This should be followed by mass retirement and promotion exercises in the NPF in order to clear wrongfully filled vacancies and re-fill them geopolitically and equitably.

“It is our further firm demand that the 12 NPF Zonal Commands headed by AIGs should be restructured to give each zone two Zonal Commands. The 37 State/FCT Commands headed by CPs should be divided into six CPs per zone and the 93 serving CPs in the NPF should be divided into at least 15 CPs per zone. The 22 serving AIGs should be made 24 AIGs and divided into four AIGs per zone. Heads of other strategic police formations listed in the part-one of this letter should be overhauled along federal character, equity and fairness lines. The zone that produces IGP should no longer be allowed to produce two DIGs.

“The PSC should take over for permanent keeping and maintenance of the three NPF Officers’ Lists under reference and assert its constitutional responsibilities including diligent promotion and posting of police officers other than IGP outside the confines of “IGP’s recommendations”. The IGP may be consulted. This is more so when Section 6 (2) of the Commission’s Establishment Act of 4the January, 2001 clearly states: “the Police Service Commission shall not be subject to the direction, control or supervision of any other authority or person in the performance of its functions other than as is prescribed in this Act”.

“Criteria for rank promotions and duty postings must remain on the basis of federal character, equity, fairness, meritorious and excellent duty performance known to international policing best practices domesticated in Nigeria. Officers to be promoted and posted must not be antagonists of the very law they are meant to protect. For instance, it will be counter-productive in securitization and ethical context to promote and post senior and junior police officers of criminal and gay backgrounds to fight and control crimes particularly armed robbery, kidnap-for-ransom and terrorism as well as enforce and uphold anti-gay laws. To this effect, all police officers, particularly the senior ones due for promotion and posting or those seeking to be promoted or posted, must be thoroughly investigated by the Police Service Commission. There is also need for gender considerations in future promotion and posting exercises. A situation where no woman presently serves as an AIG or a DIG in the NPF is not only a collective class warfare against women by the IGP and the PSC, but also a height of “women disempowerment”, which is locally and internationally frowned at and prohibited.”

•Photo shows IGP Abubakar.

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