The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Friday Suspended two women police officers for violating social media rules of the Nigerian police force.
The Supernumerary Police Officers, identified as Obaze Blessing with SPY number 5709, and Obaze Emmanuella Uju with SPY number 5708, were suspended with immediate effect.
According to the police, the officers breached the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, and The Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY) 2013.
It was gathered that they were suspended by the Inspector-General of Police, after they were captured in a video posted by one of the officers in a viral video on August 3, 2022.
The officers went viral recently after TikTok videos of them looking sexy in and out of their uniforms went viral.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi says the officers who are Suprenumerary police officers dressed in police uniform that were not permitted for their level and also violated the Social media policy of the police and impersonation.
The statement in part reads: “By the combined effects of the Police Act, 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY),2013 was established solely to complement the services of regular Police Officers when needed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies/Multi-National Companies, and Banks who make requests and upon approval pay for their training and cover their emoluments for the period of their engagement. (Sections 21-24 of the Police Act, 2020).
“It is equally important to mention that in line with Section 25 (2) (3) of the Police Act, 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY), 2013issued by the Inspector-General of Police (Guidelines for SPYs), the mode of dressing of SPY police mandates its SPY officers above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police not to wear uniforms. Similarly, extant laws delineate the Supernumerary uniform.
” It states that they must be on their approved uniform, ash coloured shirt with “SPY” inscriptions all over, over black with shoulder badge carrying the word “SUPERNUMERARY”.
” Supernumerary Officers adorning police black, neon blue or camouflage uniforms run afoul of the law and would be adequately sanctioned.
The suspended supernumerary officers – Obaze Blessing with SPY number 5709, and Obaze Emmanuella Uju with SPY number 5708, adorned themselves in conventional police officers’ uniforms contrary to the code regulating the SPY service.
” One of them similarly adorned the rank of Superintendent of Police which is contrary to extant laws. Above all, they portrayed themselves in the viral video and other videos as undisciplined and unprofessional, in contravention of the Police Social Media Policy, with acts glorifying ill-gotten wealth and ill-morals, which has received wide condemnation from members of the public.”
Adejobi, therefore, used the incident to warn on all supernumerary officers to adhere strictly with extant laws as strict sanctions would apply to erring officers.
“The Force is similarly revisiting other matters of infractions against members of the Supernumerary Police with a view to handing out necessary sanctions to other defaulters.” He stated.
