Is Favoritism Eroding Trust in Nigeria's Police Force? Imagine serving tirelessly on the frontlines, risking your life to combat insurgency, only to watch colleagues with mere months of experience leapfrog ahead in promotions. This isn't just a tale of workplace unfairness—it's a growing crisis shaking the foundation of the Nigerian Police Force under Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun's leadership. But here's where it gets controversial: allegations of rampant favoritism are sparking outrage, with some officers claiming the system rewards connections over courage. Stick around as we dive deep into the details, uncovering how this controversy might be undermining morale and effectiveness in one of Africa's most vital institutions.
Whispers of Injustice Turn into Outcries Eyewitness accounts from within the force reveal a troubling pattern in the latest internal promotions. Multiple officers have come forward, describing the process as plagued by what they call 'rampant favoritism and injustice.' At the heart of their complaints? Certain individuals received double promotions—meaning they skipped an entire rank—despite having served less than two years in the police. For beginners in policing, a double promotion is a rare fast-track that usually goes to exceptional performers, but here it's alleged to bypass those with proven dedication. This isn't just about titles; it can mean higher pay, more responsibility, and greater authority, making the sting even sharper for those overlooked.
A Frontline Officer's Plea for Fairness In a heartfelt message shared with SaharaReporters, one disgruntled officer painted a vivid picture of the betrayal. 'A special promotion was released yesterday, but it’s marred by favouritism,' the officer wrote. 'Some officers with less than two years of service got double promotions, while those on the frontlines battling insurgents are overlooked. As a freedom fighter, we trust you’ll expose this injustice. Your voice matters, and we count on you to speak truth to power.' This plea highlights a broader frustration: hardworking personnel who endure the dangers of counter-insurgency operations feel ignored, while others, seemingly shielded from the chaos, soar ahead. And this is the part most people miss—these frontline heroes are often the backbone of anti-terrorism efforts, risking everything in remote, hostile environments. Without their recognition, how can the force maintain its edge?
Behind the Scenes: Documents Reveal Favored Names Digging deeper, SaharaReporters obtained documents listing several beneficiaries, many stationed in cushy roles at the Police Headquarters or Abuja-based units, far removed from active conflict zones. This raises eyebrows, as it suggests proximity to power might outweigh merit. For instance, Force No. 528533, Abubakar Abdulmumin, leaped from Corporal to Sergeant while under the Force Secretary (FORSEC) command. Similarly, Force No. 521042, Asiai Emmanuel, and Force No. 524005, Nathaniel Markus, both attached to the Inspector General of Police's (IGP) Security in Abuja, made the same jump. Others include Force No. 525000, Abulkarim Hamza, also rising from Corporal to Sergeant in the IGP’s Security Command, and Force No. 521065, Adeyemo Philip, linked to the Force Public Relations Office (FPRO), who was elevated on October 23, 2025.
On the same day, a group of officers at the FPRO and Force Headquarters advanced from Constable to Corporal: Abdulazeez Yau (No. 547832), John Abraham (No. 541173), Onyemike Joshua (No. 541829), and Solomon John (No. 549692). But here's where it gets controversial—one standout case is Akeju Oluwasola, an officer in the IGP’s Security in Abuja, reportedly added to the list without a clear indication of rank progression. Does this imply favoritism at the highest levels, or could there be an oversight? It's details like these that fuel debates about transparency in policing.
Context from a Broader Promotion Wave To understand the full picture, let's rewind. SaharaReporters previously covered how the Nigerian Police Force, via the Department of Finance and Administration (Welfare), greenlighted promotions for 1,453 officers nationwide who had been left out of an earlier round. An internal circular dated October 30, 2025, with reference CE:2300/WEL/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.52/27, instructed command heads to ensure only qualified individuals benefited. Signed from the Welfare Department at Force Headquarters in Abuja, it was directed to key figures like Deputy Inspectors-General and Assistant Inspectors-General across various departments.
Titled 'PROMOTION GENERAL SGT-INSPR, CPL-SGT AND PC-CPL,' the circular announced the Inspector-General's approval for those overlooked. It specified that Sergeants and Corporals promoted by December 31, 2020, and Constables enlisted by December 31, 2019, whose names were missed, would be beneficiaries effective April 3, 2024, and July 14, 2025, respectively. Emphasizing that promotions were 'strictly based on seniority and merit,' it urged congratulations for the winners. Copies went to officials like Commissioner of Police Usman K. Jibrin and heads of sections like Force Computer and Records. The document detailed two batches: 1,072 officers in the first and 381 in the second.
Spotlight on the Promoted: First Batch Highlights From the first list, promoted Sergeants in Katsina Command include Nura Shehu, Idris Ibrahim, Tasi’u Tunau, and Margret Angale, effective July 14, 2025. Others are Sergeant Gani John and Sergeant Abdulmalik Idris from the Force Intelligence Department (STS), Sergeant Deborah Nwakaeze from the Directorate of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) in Abuja, and several from the Police Academy (POLAC): Sagir Sabo, Abubakar Isah, Ismaila Usman, Bashir Garba, and Hassan Guda. Rounding out this group are Sergeant Adeyinka Oluwatosin of 46 PMF Abuja, Sergeant Chilaka Chinedu and Sergeant Nwafor Igwe from Ebonyi Command, Sergeant Henry Kogwuonye of Delta Command, and Sergeant Ajileye Bunmi of Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos.
Second Batch: More Names, More Questions The 381-officer second list features Corporal Mudassir Bilya of INTERPOL Abuja, Corporal Aliyu Abdurrahman of State House Protection (SHP) at Force Headquarters Abuja, and Corporals Aborisade Oluwole, Victor Maurice, Daniel Alamai, and David Samson from 2 PMF Lagos. Also included are Corporal Philip Tina of Police Training School (PTS) Nekede, Corporal Solomon Jacob of POLAC, and a cluster from the Special Investigation Section (SIS) at Force Headquarters: Corporal Ibrahim Hassan, Corporal Ugabje Achile, Corporal Ahmed Kabiru, Corporal Haruna Ahmad, and Corporal Yusuf Ali. These promotions, while intended to correct omissions, now face scrutiny over how 'seniority and merit' were defined.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters and Sparks Debate At its core, this issue touches on fairness in a system where every promotion can boost careers and salaries—potentially widening gaps in a force already stretched thin by corruption allegations. For newcomers to policing concepts, think of it like a classroom where some get A's for showing up, while others earn them through extra effort. But here's where it gets controversial: is this favoritism a symptom of deeper nepotism, or could there be valid reasons for these leaps, like specialized skills? Critics argue it demoralizes the rank-and-file, potentially weakening anti-insurgency efforts, while supporters might counter that internal politics are unavoidable in large organizations. And this is the part most people miss—the long-term effects on public trust, as citizens wonder if their protectors are playing favorites instead of focusing on safety.
What do you think? Does this favoritism undermine the police's integrity, or is it an overblown issue in a complex system? Are double promotions for new recruits ever justifiable, or should experience always trump connections? Share your views in the comments—do you agree it's time for reform, or disagree with the outrage? Let's discuss!
