The Inspector General of Police, IGP Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has warned against mounting pressures for special promotions within the force while decorating newly promoted senior police officers.
Egbetokun lamented that this trend was undermining the merit-based promotion system and jeopardizing the integrity of the force.
He warned that severe sanctions would be imposed on anyone found soliciting special promotions through improper channels.
He stated, “I urge officers to stop seeking special promotions through influential persons and external forces. Severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found guilty of soliciting underserved promotions through illicit means.”
The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the current police administration to a transparent and fair promotion process based on seniority and merit.
He emphasized that no eligible officer would be denied promotion.
He also announced the suspension of special promotions at the start of his administration to ensure fairness and transparency in the promotion process.
While acknowledging that exceptions may be necessary in exceptional circumstances, he emphasized that these would be made judiciously and fairly.
The newly decorated officers include one Deputy Inspector-General of Police, 11 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and 15 Commissioners of Police.
Among them is DIG Yayaha Abubakar, a lawyer from Adamawa State, and AIGs Mohammad Badeh, a former Commissioner of Police from Niger State, and Ahmed Armani, a holder of a master’s degree in law enforcement from Katsina State who has worked at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
