POLICE STRIKE THREAT: IGP DIRECTS COMPUTATION OF 20% SALARY INCREMENT

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Baba Alkali, has called on the personnel of the Nigeria Police to shun the rumoured industrial action in the organisation as efforts are on to implement their new wage increment.

He made the call while addressing officers and men of Ebonyi State Police Command at its Headquarters in Abakaliki.

In December 2021, the Federal Government approved the upgrade of salaries of police personnel by 20%.

Although the adjustment was expected to take effect from January 2022, nothing has happened, hence the rumour of impending strike by junior officers to push for a better welfare package.

Represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 9, Mr. Isaac Akinmoyede, the IGP directed that the 20% salary increment be computed for immediate implementation.

Mr. Alkali Baba noted that the Force had strengthened its insurance policy to cover not only death but also the scholarship of children of police officers who may die in active service.

He stated that attack on police stations in some parts of the country would soon be a thing of the past as the Force had embarked on the construction of model police stations to forestall further attacks on such facilities.

The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Aliyu Garba, emphasised that the command would not join the strike, noting that the Police Service Act was explicit in the conduct of police officers.

Meanwhile, during a question and answer session at the event, two police personnel called for speedy implementation of the incremental wage and other welfare packages given the economic realities in the country.