Hundreds of Mobile policemen serving in Borno state on Monday blocked the Maiduguri – Kano road, the only free exit in and out of Maiduguri in protest of non payment of their 7 months allowance by the police authority.
The rampaging Mobile Police also accused the Inspector General Of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris of selling police promotions to the highest bidders to the detriment of them serving in the insurgency ravaged areas.
The protest which lasted for hours forced commuters to ply alternative routes as a result of gun shots sounds from the front of the Borno state police headquarters where the protests took place.
A mobile policeman who spoke to AFRI POST on the condition of anonymity for fear of victimization, said while their Military counterparts in the Joint Taskforce operation in Borno are not being owed any penny, the police authority has refused to pay their own allowances for the past 7 months, adding that even Members of the Civilian Joint Taskforce run by Borno state government are not being owed by their employers.
” We are not happy with what is happening. For the past seven months, we have not been paid our allowances. We have no accommodation, most of us are sleeping in the open field despite the danger of the zone we are operating. Some of us in the local government areas who are there to restore civil authority in the liberated Communities are faced by hunger and starvation as a result of this,” the source said.
Another mobile police who shot in the air before speaking, the the IGP is giving promotions to their juniors who are even working in comfort zones. He said a rank of corporal goes for N100, 000, while that of Inspector is sold for N150, 000, adding that from the rank of Inspector to higher ranks are sold for N250,000.
“People that are fighting the war against insurgency are not given promotions while colleagues working at comfort zones get promotions based on connections or price,” the source said.
When AFRI POST arrived the venue of the protest, the protesting Mobile policemen were singing war song chanting” IGP Idris is corrupt!! IGP is a thief!! Where is our allowances!!! Buhari is a good man, but Ibrahim Idris is the one eating our allowances! Buhari must hear this, the rampaging police personnel kept chanting.
However, comfirmng the protest yesterday in a statement to newsmen in Maiduguri , the Borno state police public Relations Officer, Edet Okon said the Inspector General of Police , Ibrahim Idris has directed the Commissioner of police in- change of Police Mobile force to relocate to Borno and address the situation.
“Today being 02/07/18 at about 0630hrs, personnel of the Police Mobile Force on Special duty came to Borno State Command Headquarters to inquire about the non-payment of their allowances for 5 months running.
“The Police High Command is aware of their plight and liaising with appropriate Federal Govt agencies to address the situation. We are hopeful that since the 2018 budget has been signed by the presidency, the allowances will be paid soon.
“Meanwhile efforts by officers of the command yielded results as the situation was brought under control. Members of the public are therefore encouraged to go about their lawful activities without any fear or apprehension.
“The IGP has consequently directed the Commissioner of Police In-charge Police Mobile Force to relocate to Borno State and address the situation.The Borno State Government has also intervened and pledged to assist to better the condition of the visiting PMF personnel,” DSP Okon said . End
