Cadet inspector cried over delayed promotion

About 400 cadet inspectors from Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Cross River states that are yet to be promoted after their 2009/2010 promotional examination have cried to the Inspector-General of Police and the chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC) to look into their matter.

Speaking with the Metro in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, a spokesperson for some of the affected police officers, who visited the Ilorin office of the Tribune newspapers, Mr Samuel Oladeji, said one of the affected policemen died of hypertension recently, adding that four others were ill in hospitals.

"Regrettably, most recently we have lost a seasoned promising young officer whom was diagnosed of hypertension. Until he died, he kept mentioning the name of a former Inspector General of Police repeatedly before he finally gave up the ghost. The late officer served last at Kaduna State Command.

"As we write, four others are lying on their sick beds. We do not want to lose them, because hypertension is a silent killer. And what shall it profit PSC not to promote us after being duly recommended?" he said.

The people, who appealed for urgent action on the promotion process, said a signal should be sent to the affected officers stating when they would be promoted to alleviate their pain.

"Justice delayed is justice denied. Sir, if it takes the Nigeria Police Force months just to investigate matters related to promotion within the NPF, how many years will it take the organisation to conclude an investigation on a heinous crime.

"This act that someone will be recommended for promotion and yet will not be promoted must stop in NPF. It is a form of corrupt practice. We have written severally but what we get in return is dejection," he added.

The people also called on Nigerians to come to their aid, saying "the Senate, the National House of Representatives, all Nigerians home and abroad, please help us add your voices and beg the almighty PSC on our behalf to release our promotion.

"We welcome and appreciate the decision by the Inspector General of Police to set up the committee to investigate lopsidedness in the promotion of inspectors and other irregularities in the Nigeria Police Force.

"We are also glad that the new IGP made a public statement via the dailies that under his watch, welfare of policemen and women will be a priority for effective and efficient policing."