‘3,000 police inspectors get sergeants’ salaries’

Acting Inspectors-General of Police, Suleiman Abba

Three thousand Police Inspectors, who were promoted to the current rank 16 months ago, are still being paid the salaries of sergeants, investigation has shown.

Findings by our correspondent indicate that the inspectors are being paid N52,475.45 per month, which is the salary of a Police Sergeant, after various deductions.

Investigations showed that the monthly salaries of policemen on the grade of an Inspector is about N82,000, while an Inspector on Grade Two earns over N65,000. However, this increment has not reflected in the pay cheques of the promoted policemen.

One of the affected policemen said he and his colleagues had yet to get the full benefits of their new ranks, adding that the situation had become demoralising and discouraging to them.

He said, “We have been wearing the rank of inspector for one year and four months. Unfortunately, we are still being paid the salaries of a sergeant. So, what is the use of the promotion if we don’t get the financial benefit that goes with it? We have passed the confirmation test and we have been decorated since 2013, but there is nothing to show for our promotion.”

The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, however said the Police did not toy with the welfare of its personnel, saying that there was financial back-up for every promotion.

He said, “Every new promoted policeman has a duty to apply for advice of change to get the due pay. For every promotion, there is financial back-up. Where there is a shortfall and it is known, the police high command does not spare efforts to give every officer his or her due.”

Meanwhile, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has re-constituted the Force Gender Unit and appointed CSP Olabisi Kolawole as the Force Gender Adviser to head the unit.

The Force said the appointment was made to consolidate on the gains made to stem the tide of violence against women and children in the country.

Ojukwu, in a statement, said the Force Gender Unit would, among other things, ensure the implementation of a robust capacity building plan for officers in gender-related issues.