The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has assured that no female police officer residing in Police Barracks across the country would be ejected for residing with civilian spouse.
The Police Chief gave the assurance while reacting to a signal purportedly originated by the Enugu State Police Command, to the effect that women police personnel occupying barracks accommodation with their civilian husbands should vacate before 31st January, 2022.
TheFact Nigeria gathers that the signal, which was contained in a police wireless message sent earlier on Wednesday, with reference number C8:0900/ENS/PROV/VOL.1/195, DTO:100800/11/202, and originated from the Department of Finance and Administration in Enugu State, was addressed to all Assistant Commissioners of Police, ACPs, Heads of Department and Divisional Police Officers in the State. Part of the message read: COMPOL DIRECTS YOU WARN ALL WOMEN POLICE PERSONNEL SERVING YOURS BUT OCCUPYING ANY BARRACK ACCOMMODATION WITH THIER CIVILIAN HUSBANDS AT POLICE BARRACKS IN THE COMMAND WITHIN JURISDICTION YOURS TO VACATE SAME ON OR BEFORE 31/01/2022 X REPEAT 31/01/2022.
The IGP, miffed with the said “directive”, described it as unlawful, discriminatory, obnoxious, reprehensive and totally out of tune with the concept of equality as enshrined in our Constitution, neither is it in line with the Force Gender Policy which institutionalizes gender mainstreaming as a core value in the Nigeria Police Force.
IGP Baba further noted that a Police Force that has produced several top-ranking, successful female officers, including Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), State Command Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, DPOs, eminent Spokespersons, and an Olympic Gold Medallist, amongst others, will never walk such a retrogressive path.
Meanwhile, the IGP has ordered the Force Provost Marshal to carry out immediate investigations into the viral document and assures stern disciplinary action against any person or group of persons found wanting.
He called on members of the public, particularly, female Police Officers and their families, who might have become disconcerted as a result of the unconscientious directive, to ignore same as the said illegal order is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.
He further re-iterated the Force’s committment to advancing the general well-being, rights and privileges of its personnel, rank or gender notwithstanding.
