The Nigeria Police Force’s promotion debacle is an insult to the brave officers who stood firm during the EndSARS riots. While those who fled and those who were not at their duty posts were rewarded, the heroes who defended their stations were left in the lurch. Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) whose stations were burnt during the EndSARS riots were elevated, those who bravely defended their divisions were ignored.
This travesty pose a serious threat to the very fabric of our security forces. It undermines the morale of dedicated officers and perpetuates a culture of impunity. The message is clear: cowardice is rewarded, bravery is ignored. This perverse reward system is a slap in the face to the brave officers, who stood their grounds against violent mobs, protecting their colleagues and stations. Meanwhile, those who abandoned their posts or were somewhere outside their stations satisfying their personal engagements during the rioters’ invasions were promoted.
This travesty raises questions: What message does this send to officers who risked their lives to maintain order? Does the Police leadership value cowardice over courage? Are we perpetuating a culture of impunity, where failure is rewarded and bravery punished?
It will interest you to know that some brave Divisional Police officers who defended their stations tendered their resignation letters as a result of frustration after the EndSARS unholy promotion.
The EndSARS protests exposed deep-seated issues within the Police force. A quota system of promoting officers spells doom in the same direction. Some senior officers will hang a rank for seven to eight years while their juniors in the force will be promoted twice or more and become senior officers to them. The fit and the qualified irrespective of geographical location, religious affiliation, colour of background or tribe should be given the coat of honour. Rather than addressing these issues, the authorities are perpetuating the rot, amassing all their concentrations on public wealth looting, sending a dangerous signal that loyalty and connections trump merit and bravery.
The Police leadership must rectify this injustice and prioritize those who truly served with honour. Anything less is a betrayal of public trust. The brave officers who defended their stations deserve better. Nigeria deserves better.
I demand justice for the brave officers who were overlooked. I demand a promotion system based on merit, not connections or loyalty. I demand a Police Force that honours courage, not cowardice. I demand a review of these unjust promotions and a thorough overhaul of the Police promotion system. Only then can we build a Force that truly serves and protects the people.
AMB. EZEWELE CYRIL ABIONANOJIE is the author of the book, ‘The Enemy Called Corruption’ ; an award winner ‘Best Columnist Of The Year’, ‘Giant In Security Support’ among other local and international awards. He is the Founder/President of Peace Ambassadors Global.