President Muhammadu Buhari has on Monday approved an enhanced salary structure for the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and promised his administration will pay more attention to the welfare and equipping the operational need of security forces.
Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement on Monday, disclosed the president confirmed the approval in the State House, Abuja. The president spoke when he hosted members of the Nigeria Police Service Commission and the leadership of the force who were on a “thank you” visit to him at the state house.
By the president approval of the Rank and salary structure adjustment, policemen will be entitled to better emoluments of salaries, allowances and pension henceforth. The president affirmed the commitment of his administration to restoring the lost dominance of the police in the framework of the country internal security.
He express his regret that the failure of the police in keeping up to their mandate of crime prevention has lead the country where we are today when the military are the one maintaining law and order nationwide.
“From Taraba to Sokoto, to the South-South, people don’t feel secure until they see the military. “I am pleased to make the increase in salary and allowances in the hope that it will increase the performance index of the police and strengthen Nigeria’s internal security"
The president added: “The military should be reserved for higher tasks. The police should be able to cope well with the challenges of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and other sundry crimes.
Mr Musiliu Smith, Chairman, Police Service Commission, represented by Justice Clara Ogunbiyi (rtd), informed the president that the rank salary structure adjustment would enhance police morale.
The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, also gave the assurance that the police would redouble its efforts to ensure free, fair and credible elections throughout the country next year.
