The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olukayode Egbetokun has warned against acts to undermine merit-based postings and promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during the decoration of 27 newly promoted senior officers.
He said the leadership of the current police administration had been committed to standardisation of promotion process in the force.
According to him, the current promotion exercise, like those preceding it under this administration, adhered strictly to the fundamental principles of seniority and merit.
“I will like to take this opportunity to sound a note of serious warning to unscrupulous officers who are attempting to undermine our merit based promotion process for personal gains.
“I urge them to seize lobbying for special promotions through influential persons and external forces.
“From now on, severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found guilty of soliciting for undeserved promotion through illicit means, masquerading as special promotion.
“This also applies to officers soliciting for preferential postings,” he said.
The I-G pledged that promotion process in the Nigeria police would continue to be transparent and fair to all officers.
He said no officer, eligible for promotion would be denied their rightful advancement.
Egbetokun said the current police leadership had at inception, announced the suspension of special promotions to ensure a fair, equitable and transparent promotion process.
“While we acknowledge that exceptional circumstances can warrant special promotion, we will take appropriate and expedient action when necessary.
“We will revisit the decision at the right time and make exceptions where deserved, balancing individual merit to ensure fair and equitable process,” he said.
The I-G congratulated the senior officers being decorated and urged them to see their promotions as a call for more dedication to duty.
