‘Silencing Legitimate Grievances’ — IGP Orders Demotion Of WhatsApp Group Admins Over Planned Police Protest On Salaries And Pensions

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed disciplinary measures against Nigerian police officers detained over their involvement in organizing a planned protest addressing poor salaries, welfare issues, and a controversial police pension scheme, According to SaharaReporter.

Reliable sources disclosed on Friday evening that IGP Egbetokun ordered the demotion of Inspector Emoruwa Olabode and five other officers identified as administrators of a WhatsApp group used to mobilize colleagues for the protest. Furthermore, the officer who originally posted the protest message in the group is slated for immediate dismissal from the police force.

Inspector Bode Emoruwa, attached to Idanre Police Station in Ondo State, was arrested on July 4 and held initially in solitary confinement at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure before being transferred to Abuja. Two other WhatsApp group administrators, Otamere Ewamade (“Hero”) and Fasoyin Ayodeji, were earlier detained and remain in custody at the Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, for over two weeks.

Sources reveal that these officers, who raised legitimate concerns about police pensions and welfare, are now facing harsh reprisals instead of having their grievances addressed. One insider described the IGP’s actions as a move to silence dissent within the force.

Calls for the protest were sparked by widespread allegations of mismanagement and lack of transparency in police pension administration, with officers nationwide expressing fears about their post-retirement financial security.

Critics have also questioned IGP Egbetokun’s prolonged stay in office, noting that he should have retired, fueling further discontent within the police ranks.

The situation escalated when the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the FID, Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, disclosed that the detained officers are now being tried for mutiny, a severe charge that human rights activists, including Omoyele Sowore, have condemned as a tactic to suppress legitimate internal criticism.

Sowore, who attempted to visit the detained officers, described the secrecy surrounding their detention as deliberate and criticized the police leadership for denying them justice. He reaffirmed his support for the planned nationwide #PoliceProtest set for July 21, 2025, emphasizing the protest’s importance in demanding fair treatment and dignity for Nigerian police personnel.

Attempts to locate the officers at the FID headquarters were met with evasive responses and secrecy, including a complete blackout of the premises and orders from senior police officials not to disclose any information.

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