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Ondo 2020: Again, police officers lament non-payment of allowances
Some police officers that participated in the gubernatorial election that was held in Ondo state on October 10, 2020 have called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the governors in the Southwest and members of the National Assembly to prevail on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Muhammed Adamu and other top police authority to pay their allowances for the said election without further delay.
The affected officers are those that were deployed as supplementary officers from the Southwest states including Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Lagos, to assist those that had earlier been deployed and categorized as Batch ‘A’ for the said election.
This will be the second time within two months after the Ondo governorship election was held that the affected officers would be lamenting over non-payment of their allowances.
The officers , who confided in Mega Icon Magazine, were surprised that despite repeated demands and appeal made to the police headquarters, no signal whatsoever on when the allowances would be paid and the reason for the delay in the payment.
Their spokesperson who has just been promoted to the rank of Superitendent of Police and spoke on condition of anonymity disclosed that the affected officers were subjected to a lot of hardship before, during and after the said election as a result of non payment of their allowances.
According to him, “all of us that were affected were deployed to Ondo as supplementary officers to those that were in Batch ‘A’ recruited for that election. Before we went for this special assignment, we were asked to submit our individual account number with code number which we did with a promise to credit our account.
“When we got to Ondo, we spent our personal money to eat, securing hotel accommodation and all sort of things, while those of us who could not afford hotel accommodation had to sleep outside. Some of our colleagues had an accident on the road and died. Some had health challenges and could not afford medical bills. Yet, our boss at the headquarters are not ready to listen to our plight. Is this not part of the corruption we are talking about in this country”, the officer queried.
On the claim by the police authority that those that have not been paid their allowances had discrepancies in their account details, the spokesperson described the claim as blatant lie, stressing that they were only saying that as an excuse not to pay their allowances when they know that they could not speak because they don’t have union that would fight for them.
Meanwhile, efforts made by our reporter to reach the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr. Frank Mba for comments were unsuccessful as messages to his phone via WhatsApp were not responded to.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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