The Police Service Commission (PSC) has sounded a note of warning to some officers of the force who are reluctant to return to their duty posts following the violence which erupted during the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest resulting in the killing of over 22 officers.
The PSC while urging the officers to put the killing behind them, stated that Public Service Rules which also applies to officers of the Nigeria Police Force, stipulates dismissal for any officer that absconds from duty.
The Police hierarchy reiterated that officers of the force should be protected at all times as fellow human beings, hence did not deserve to be killed. It however, added that the attack by thugs should not serve as justification to shy away from their responsibility.
Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson said that the killing of policemen was inimical to the security of the country because when you make Nigeria lawless and ungovernable, there would be a situation nobody would be able to control.
Recall that there has been reports of policemen not reporting to duty and avoiding blackspots following the killing of officers by thugs who took over the #EndSARS protests which were initially peaceful.
Riot policemen also failed to respond to the directive by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to reclaim public space from hoodlums were on rampage looting private businesses and vandalizing public infrastructure.
Officers cited fears for their lives as reason for staying away from work.
Ani in an interview with Punch said, “The Nigeria Police Force is part of the public service and the public service is guided by the Public Service Rules. If you don’t come to work without permission, the punishment is dismissal if it is proven.
“The police as public servants are guided by the rules; so, they cannot on their own say they won’t go to work. Although, the Police Service Commission is also working to make sure they are protected because they are human beings; their lives also matter.”
Meanwhile, Musliu Smith, Chairman of PSC in an interview on Thursday while on inspection of police formations that were damaged expressed the need to reform their anti-crime strategies. He equally assured improved welfare for officers of the force.
Smith in a statement issued on Friday by the police spokesperson in Lagos State, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, asked for thorough investigation into all the cases recorded during the crisis. He emphasised that officers and men of the command should take the ugly incident as one of the challenges and hazards of police job in a developing country like ours.