Ebonyi Police Officers Accuse Seniors of Allowance Diversion, 'Ghost' Deployments

Police personnel stationed in Ebonyi State, specifically those within the Department of Operations and the Police Mobile Force (PMF), have come forward with serious allegations against their superior officers. They claim that funds meant for special security duties, paid by private entities, are being diverted, leading to inadequate welfare, overdue payments, and harsh working conditions for the rank and file. These officers, who chose to remain anonymous when speaking with SaharaReporters due to fears of retaliation, further revealed extensive irregularities in how police deployments are managed across the state. Among these issues is the alleged deployment of "ghost" officers, used to illicitly collect security allocations from the Ebonyi State Government.

In response, the aggrieved officers have appealed directly to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, urging him to initiate an impartial inquiry into their claims and to overhaul the current system for disbursing special duty allowances. One officer described Ebonyi as an exceptionally challenging posting for police personnel, particularly for those assigned to the Department of Operations and the Police Mobile Force. "Ebonyi State is the most painful state to work in, especially for the Department of Operations and Mopol department," the officer lamented. He added that officers who resist extorting the public are consequently subjected to significant financial distress.

"The only ones truly benefiting from police work in Ebonyi and other South-East states are those who exploit innocent citizens, targeting individuals with nice cars or good attire, turning them into overnight suspects to extort money from their families," the officer claimed. "Those of us who refuse to use our rifles to extort money from the public are suffering immensely." A long-serving officer, with over two decades of experience in Ebonyi State, stated that the exploitation of junior ranks has been a consistent issue across various administrations. "I have spent over 20 years in Ebonyi State, toiling in the Department of Operations and enduring hardship for the sake of senior officers and their families," he recounted. "We complained about the previous Admin Officer, Godwin Onu, before his retirement, and now we face another oppressive officer."

The officers specifically raised concerns about the management of allowances provided by corporate entities and organizations that employ police personnel for escort and other security services. Directly appealing to the Inspector-General, one source questioned, "Is it a criminal offense for officers and men to receive their allowances directly from the companies they are assigned to? How can an officer be on duty with their principal, often in remote areas, while another individual collects their allowance under the guise of administrative duties?" He further alleged that while some companies reportedly pay up to N1.8 million monthly per police officer for security services, only a small portion of this sum ultimately reaches the officers performing the actual duties.

"Certain companies and assignments across the 36 states remit N1.8 million monthly per security officer," the source claimed. "However, the Deputy Commissioner of Operations then pays only N50,000 per person, while the Mobile Police Commander disburses just N35,000 to his men. Adding to the frustration, these allowances are paid at irregular intervals, not when the company actually releases the funds." He also cited instances where officers on bank security duties work a full week, from Sunday to Saturday, yet receive only meager payments. "An officer with a family might be assigned to bank duties from Sunday through Saturday, only to be paid a mere N7,000 by the office at week's end, often accompanied by threats," he asserted.

The officer elaborated, stating that despite private companies agreeing on fixed monthly payments before police personnel are deployed, the actual amount reaching the officers is drastically reduced. "Prior to police authorities assigning personnel to any company or beat for security guard or escort services, a fixed monthly sum is agreed upon by the company and paid to the police office," he explained. "Shockingly, the very office that collects these funds from the company then slashes the amount to almost nothing before disbursing it to the officers." The officers drew a stark comparison between their treatment and that of soldiers performing similar duties alongside them. "How is it possible for a police officer to be on duty with soldiers at the same company or location?" the source queried. "At month's end, the soldiers receive their allowances directly from the company, while a police officer might receive their August allowance as late as September 20th, and only from the office."

The personnel implored the Inspector-General to guarantee that allowances are paid directly to them and without undue delay. "Our father, the IGP, we implore you, we have families to support," the source pleaded. "We urge your intervention. Our allowances should reach us directly and on time, not long after our salaries. Proper allowances motivate us to perform our duties effectively." Furthermore, another police officer claimed that for several years, the Ebonyi State Government has unwittingly disbursed funds for personnel who were purportedly not deployed for any security assignments. This officer advocated for a thorough verification exercise for all police personnel officially attached to government security duties.