Nigerian Police Suspend Two Female Officers Over TikTok Videos, Warn Against Social Media Misconduct

 

The Nigeria Police Force has suspended two supernumerary police officers, Obaze Blessing and Obaze Emmanuella Uju, over misconduct and violation of the social media policy.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi disclosed this statement posted on his Twitter handle @Princemoye1 on Friday.

The statement was titled: "Impersonation: IGP issues strict warning on misuse of police restricted uniforms. As Police Suspends Two Supernumerary Officers for Discreditable Conduct, Violation of Social Media Policy.”

Adejobi stated that the two suspended Supernumerary 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."

While he called on all supernumerary officers to adhere strictly with extant laws, warned that the force would not hesitate to apply strict sanctions against erring officers.

The Force Public Relations Officer said that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, has strict warned against the incessant, illegal and unwarranted use of police uniforms restricted to bonafide serving officers of the Force.

The statement partly reads, "This is coming on the heels of the suspension of two Supernumerary Police Officers, with immediate effect, for breach of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, and The Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/ Promotion/ Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY) 2013 by the Inspector-General of Police, as captured in a video posted by one of the officers in a viral video on August 3, 2022.

"The Supernumerary Police, 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," citing Sections 21-24 of the Police Act, 2020.

The statement added, "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), 2013 issued 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. The Police hereby calls 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."