Reps to probe armed policemen protest over non-payment of allowances

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7 years ago

HOUSE of Representatives on Thursday resolved to investigate the recent street protest by men of the Nigeria Mobile Police unit in Maiduguri, Borno State over non-payment of their six months special duty allowances by the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.

‎The House decision followed the adoption of a motion moved by Honourable Kingsley Chinda on the need to investigate the police protest in Maiduguri in order to stop the dangerous trend from spreading to other parts of the country.

The House consequently called on the executive to act on its earlier resolution of passing vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and as well as his immediate removal saying that Nigerians were no longer safe under him as the IGP.

While moving the motion, the lawmaker who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, described the development as a show of shame and national embarrassment, which must be investigated, and the circumstances surrounding it unravelled.

He argued that such allowances for personnel on special duties were a recurrent expenditure, which should not be delayed and faulted the defence put forward by the by the Police High Command and the Ministry of Police Affairs, citing the “late passage of the 2018 budget,” as not holding water.

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He warned that if cases like the Maiduguri incident were not checked, there was a tendency that it could escalate to other places, and beyond the police.

According to him. “It is a disgrace to see security men protesting in such manner, shooting into the air and disrupting normal life activities especially when it has to do with their welfare.”
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In his own contribution to support the motion, Hon. Hassan Saleh said it was a thing of shame that the police could be reduced to such level.

According to him. “It may not be peculiar with this people, it may be that they were the only ones who have the courage to protest, in view of this there is a need for thorough investigation into the matter before it spread to other parts of the country.
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Several other members, including Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Aliyu Madaki and Nuhu Danburam who spoke, while backing the proposed investigation, also warned that the personnel who partook in the protest must be given assurance of their protection against summary dismissal or any other unfair punitive measures by the police authorities.

By the House’s resolution, an Ad hoc committee is to be constituted with the mandate to investigate the matter and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.