JUST IN; Police Inspectors protest unpaid salaries, urge IGP to resolve 11-month arrears
On Thursday, police officers affiliated with the Concerned Police Inspectors in Nigeria (CPIN) staged a peaceful march to the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to protest the non-payment of eleven months’ salary arrears.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a leader of the delegation expressed frustration over how the lack of financial support from the police authorities has severely affected their morale and effectiveness in combating crime.
He highlighted that more than 1,500 officers, recently promoted from Inspector II to Inspector I, are among those affected.
The officers appealed to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to intervene and facilitate the payment of the overdue salaries.
They emphasised that resolving this issue is crucial for them to cope with the severe socio-economic challenges facing their families.
In their appeal letter addressed to IGP Egbetokun, copying the presidency, national assembly and the Police Service Commission (PSC), made available to newsmen reads: “We are over 1,500 personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Akwa Ibom Command, promoted from Inspector 11, to 1, by the IGP effective from September 10, 2023, with a signal dated March 21, 2024.
“Till date, we are still collecting old salary as junior Inspectors instead of senior Inspectors since the IGP gave us the confirmation letters. So we have nowhere to run to than to the federal government who is our employee.
“We are uncomfortable with this inhuman treatment by our IGP, after putting many years to serve our country but our entitlements are being denied.
“We can no longer feed our families or pay their bills due to high cost of essential items in the market. It’s difficult to believe that after being celebrated with our families for being elevated to another level, the IGP is deliberately short – paying us for 11 months now, and by calculation, the shortfall is over N550,000 each.
“When we contacted our pay officers, their really is always that the IPPS has been returning our voucher because no directive from the IGP. So we ask; between our IGP and the Police authority, who should take matters of our welfare more serious?
“Since he assumed office as IGP, Mr. Egbetokun, had been promoting officers without commensurate payment of their financial accompaniments. The only signal we have been receiving from him, from Abuja, is dressing code, dressing code and dressing code, what are we going to use to buy the uniforms if our due salaries have not been paid?”
An attached Inspectorate Confirmation of Appointment letter signed by Commissioner of Police (CP) in – charge of welfare, Rose Chollom Dung, on behalf of the IGP, conveyed a congratulatory messages to the affected officers across all Commands in Nigeria, but no indication of any follow-up payment.
The Sultan made the announcement in a nationwide radio and television broadcast on Friday, confirming the sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in various parts of the country.
He stated that reports of the moon sighting were received from Muslim leaders and organisations across Nigeria.
“After due verification and authentication by the National Moon Sighting Committee, as well as confirmations from state committees, the new moon of Ramadan was officially recognised, marking the end of Sha’aban 1446 AH.
“In accordance with Islamic law, Muslims are to commence fasting on Saturday, March 1,” the Sultan declared.
He urged Muslim faithful to dedicate themselves to the worship of Allah (SWT) throughout the holy month and to use this period to pray for prevailing peace across the country and also pray for the leaders.
Additionally, the Sultan encouraged wealthy individuals to assist the less privileged, emphasising the importance of religious tolerance and unity among Nigerians.
He prayed to the Almighty to strengthen the leaders in their commitment to leading the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam, refers to abstinent from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse from dawn to sunset with the intention of worshiping Almighty Allah.
NAN also reports that Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a sacred period during which adult Muslims observe compulsory fasting from dawn to sunset for a complete month. (NAN)
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Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Atiku tells President Tinubu how to handle sexual harassment allegations against Senate President
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the claims of sexual harassment, intimidation, and maltreatment made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, he said the allegations are grave and deserve to be investigated.
“Like millions of Nigerians, I watched with deep concern this morning as Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan raised serious allegations of sexual harassment, intimidation, and mistreatment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
“These allegations are grave and deserve a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” he stated.
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections affirmed that the Nigerian Senate represents the voice of the people.
“Those who serve in it — especially its leadership — must uphold the highest standards of integrity, dignity, and respect, both for their office and for the Nigerian citizens they serve,” he said.
Atiku noted that as the third most powerful figure in the country, the Senate President should embody unimpeachable character.
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is a significant barrier to women’s advancement and, by extension, the nation’s progress. Allegations of such misconduct should never be simply dismissed, particularly when they involve a public officer with immense power, influence, and responsibility.
“As the chief presiding officer of the Upper Chamber, the Senate President has a duty to champion the protection and empowerment of Nigerian women through legislation — not to be the subject of allegations that undermine those very principles,” Atiku stated.
He admonished that the handling of this matter will send a strong message about Nigeria’s commitment to justice, accountability, and the inclusion of women in governance.
“I urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Senate itself to take these allegations seriously by ensuring a credible, transparent, and independent investigation.
“With only four women currently serving in the Senate, it is imperative that we foster an environment where female legislators can serve without fear of harassment or intimidation.
“This moment demands careful and principled action to uphold the integrity of our institutions and ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of gender, is treated with dignity and respect,” Atiku concluded.
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Akpabio’s Wife reacts to s3xual harassment allegations against husband by Senator Natasha
Akpabio’s Wife reacts to s3xual harassment allegations against husband by Senator Natasha
Mrs. Ekaette Akpabio, The wife of Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, has strongly refuted the sexual harassment allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP, Kogi Central), describing them as entirely false and unfounded.
In a statement to journalists on Friday, Mrs. Akpabio defended her husband’s character, describing him as a disciplined and respectful individual, known for his good humor and deep respect for women.
She stressed that the allegations were baseless and did not reflect the true nature of her husband, asserting that they were a misrepresentation of the man she knows.
The allegations were initially raised by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who claimed that her challenges in the Senate began after she turned down inappropriate advances from Senator Akpabio.
Mrs. Akpabio quickly dismissed these accusations, emphasizing the longstanding cordial relationship between both families. She firmly rejected the notion that any such incident took place, asserting that it was merely a product of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s imagination.
Recalling the events of December 8, 2023—the date the alleged incident supposedly occurred—Mrs. Akpabio pointed out that she had been present at their family residence on that day. She also stressed the enduring relationship between their families, which had existed long before Natasha’s marriage, further underlining the improbability of the allegations.
Moreover, Mrs. Akpabio praised her husband’s track record in championing women’s participation in governance, citing his unwavering support for female inclusion long before he became Senate President.
In a stern message, she urged women to avoid making unfounded accusations and vowed to pursue legal action to address the matter.