Our reporter
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is facing mounting criticism after its personnel were ordered to contribute to the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), headed by the wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Elizabeth Egbetokun. Officers from various ranks are being mandated to pay substantial fees, with some describing the practice as extortion.
A signal from the Force directed all personnel, from Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) to Constables, to pay between N6,000 and N12,000 by February 20, 2025, for the 2025 POWA due. According to the directive, ASPs are required to contribute N12,000, while Inspectors and lower-ranked officers are expected to pay N6,000 each. The total amount expected from the police force is estimated to exceed N3 billion, given the current strength of over 380,000 officers.
Critics have swiftly condemned the move, with some officers calling it an unlawful and coercive measure aimed at enriching the IGP’s wife. One officer, speaking anonymously to Newsmen, questioned the legality of the payments, stating, “If the money is lawful, it should be deducted directly from our salaries.” Another officer labelled the contribution as “an illegal due to extort us.”
The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has long been associated with the spouses of police personnel, but the forced nature of this year’s contribution has sparked outrage. The police force’s internal signal highlighted that officers must report to the Administration office for payment, further fuelling the belief that there is no room for dissent on the issue.
The controversy comes amidst growing tensions within the NPF, where a significant rift between IGP Egbetokun and senior officers has been reported. Notably, over 200 senior officers are resisting forced retirements despite alleged falsifications of their birth records. This has created a standoff, particularly with Deputy Inspector General Dasuki Galandanchi, who has sought a two-year extension on his tenure, despite Egbetokun’s push for mandatory retirements.
While these internal power struggles continue, the timing of the POWA fee has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of such financial demands on a force already under strain.
Efforts to reach Force Public Relations Officer Muyiwa Adejobi for comment were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered. Nonetheless, the issue is set to dominate discussions within the NPF in the coming weeks, as officers grapple with the new directive and its implications on both their financial and professional futures.
As the deadline for payment approaches, the Nigeria Police Force faces increased scrutiny over both the financial burden on its personnel and the wider governance issues within the organisation. With calls for reform and accountability intensifying, the relationship between the IGP, his wife, and the police force remains a focal point of controversy.
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