The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed zonal Assistant Inspectors General, Commissioners of Police, and other key officers in finance, administration, and logistics to release designated personnel for a crucial conference on pension matters with retired officers.
This directive was communicated through a police wireless message dated February 3, 2025. The meeting is set to take place on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The memo outlines the order, stating: “An interactive session between the police force management team and retired police officers on pension matters is scheduled. The Inspector General of Police (INGENPOL) has directed the release of DECOMPOL admin officers to attend the session. The event is set for Tuesday, 11th February 2025, at 09:00 hrs at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.”
The memo further specifies the required attendance: “AIG Zone 7 is to release 10 Superintendents of Police (SPs) and 10 Inspectors, while the FCT Commissioner of Police (COMPOL) is to release 20 SPs and 30 Inspectors for the session. Additionally, COMPOL DOPS and COMPOL FCT are to ensure security at the venue. COMPOL MEDFOR Abuja is tasked with deploying a qualified medical team, COMPOL PROVFOR will handle vehicular parking, and COMPOL PRESSFOR is responsible for press coverage.”
Sowore Backs Protesting Police Officers
Meanwhile, last Thursday, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore participated in the ‘Egbetokun Must Go’ protest at the Federal High Court in Abuja, reiterating his opposition to oppression.
Sowore’s protest followed his bail approval, set at ₦10 million with a surety of the same amount, alongside an order to surrender his passport. Addressing the gathered crowd, he asserted that no form of intimidation would silence him.
Standing with disgruntled police officers, Sowore emphasized the need for better welfare conditions within the force.
“If a nationwide protest is needed to fight for their rights, we are prepared to do so. This is not about favoring the police but demanding what is right. As employees of the Federal Government, they deserve proper housing, quality education for their children, and fair wages. A banker earns more than the police officer protecting the bank, yet without the police, banks wouldn’t function,” he said.
He further highlighted the dire financial conditions within the police force.
“A Divisional Police Officer (DPO) overseeing 500 officers receives just ₦30,000 per quarter to manage an entire station. To fuel their vehicles or purchase basic supplies, they often resort to extortion. In some cases, the elite order them to use force, and when someone is shot, it is the victim’s family that ends up buying medication for the officer involved.
“This corrupt pension system is another major issue. Many officers are forced into collecting their pensions before retirement due to how broken the system is. I have discussed this with Deji Adeyanju, and if necessary, we will organize a nationwide protest to demand change.
“We are not here to excuse police misconduct, but we must acknowledge that they, too, are government employees who deserve fair treatment. They should earn more than the bankers they protect because, without them, those banks wouldn’t even open,” Sowore added.
Police Welfare a Priority
Speaking during a discussion on X (formerly Twitter) titled “Sowore Gospels: Police Extortion and the Illegality of IGP Egbetokun”, Sowore reiterated that police welfare has always been a key part of his political agenda.
“I have always prioritized police welfare, alongside general welfare for all workers,” he stated.
He recalled that his ₦100,000 minimum wage proposal during his 2018 presidential campaign was driven by the need to improve salaries for police officers and teachers.
“When I first ran for president in 2018, my motivation for proposing a ₦100,000 minimum wage was the police and teachers.
“My goal was to ensure they were better paid than other federal civil servants. I also wanted all teachers to be placed under the federal government payroll rather than local governments, ensuring a consistent and fair salary structure.
“These two professions are crucial to society, and their welfare must be a priority. Later, I expanded the proposal to include all workers, emphasizing the importance of their roles.”
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