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That IGP’s Order

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2 years ago

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It has become a common practice in Nigeria that every newly appointed person into a position of authority announces his “arrival” by dishing out orders and commands. At various levels of government’s institutions and organisations, you see freshly appointed/elected leaders making all kinds of promises, assuring the people that they would do more than their predecessors did, unfortunately, most of them eventually end up as failures. Some people call it the initial gra gra. The situation is not different with the Nigeria Police Force, where every appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP) wants to create the impression that he has come to correct all the anomalies associated with the force, and deal with all internal security issues in the country.  It is hard to remember any IGP who did not promise to make the force a more professional, respectable body, yet these noble qualities are still far to be found in the force.
Knowing how Nigerians detest the unwarranted intimidation of road users by police at road blocks, many past IGPs had announced ban on road blocks warning that any police personnel caught in the act would be decisively dealt with yet the road blocks never disappeared. From Abubakar Dikko Ibrahim,  Sulieman Abba, Solomon Arase,  to the immediate past IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, the story had not been different. They would direct that all semblances of police road blocks and permanent checkpoints in various parts of the country be dismantled. Those would be gone for a few weeks only to resurface soonest. Today, a new Sheriff is in town and he has promised to leave no stone unturned in carrying out the assignment of safeguarding lives and property including the well-being of everyone that lives in Nigeria and upholding the ideals of justice, security, and the rule of law.
To prove that he has not come to play, the Acting Inspector General of Police (AIGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, last week hinted on the plans to withdraw Mobile Police Personnel (MPP) from VIPs escort and guard duties. “Specifically, we shall effect the withdrawal of VIP escort and guard duties”. “While the protection of dignitaries remains paramount, it is imperative that we realign our priorities to address the escalating security challenges faced by the nation as a whole. “By relieving the MPP of VIP escort and guard duties, we can redirect their focus and efforts toward addressing critical security concerns that affect our communities at large,” he said. The deployment of a significant number of police officers to guard VIPs has been a long standing issue in Nigeria,  it has often left fewer personnel to address regular law enforcement duties and maintain security for the general public. Not a few citizens have expressed worries over the high number of orderlies and escorts attached to private businessmen, political appointees, actresses and even their children for security protection at the expense of other citizens.
Some of these “big men” and “big women” use these uniform men for all purposes, including taking their children to school, house helps to the markets and all that. Seeing police men and women carrying handbags for their madams at public functions is no big deal in the country any more. Some of them escort their bosses to lecture halls, carrying their bags, books and shoes and other belongings to and from the hall. It is a common place on our roads to see policemen and other traffic officers, ordering a driver on his right of way, especially at traffic jams to make way for another vehicle with siren and revolving light, probably escorting some persons who they think are more important than other Nigerians. Apart from violating the dignity of ordinary men, many avoidable accidents have occurred as a result of these unlawful, reckless acts.One can recall the former Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and former IGP, Mike Okiro, not too long ago, lamenting that about 150,000 out of about 400,000 police personnel in the country were attached to private individuals.
Meanwhile, this is a country where the manpower of police is still lower than the United Nations recommended ratio of police to individuals. According to the UN, there ought to be one police officer for every 450 persons for effective policing. Nigeria, with a population estimated at 206,139,589, will therefore require about 458,087 policemen to adequately police the nation. With a chunk number of police personnel assigned to protect and serve just an insignificant percentage of the populace, many other Nigerians, particularly those in the rural areas where insecurity thrives, remain unprotected. It is therefore hoped that the AIGP will match his words with enough action so that this menace will be curbed. Let this not be an “initial gra gra” or go the way of similar directives of former IGPs which never saw the light of the day. Nigerians expect more actions than words.  Nigerians, want to see the AIG arrest, dismiss and prosecute erring officers including their supervisors who would flout the directive.
There are also expectations that the AIGP, if truly he wants to redeem the image of the police, should deal with corruption and all forms of impunity going on in the force. It is high time corrupt officers were held accountable through proper investigation, prosecution, and punishment. Impunity for corruption must be eliminated to send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. It is good that the AIG had announced, during his inaugural speech, that he would clear the salary arrears of the police men and women because ensuring police officers receive fair compensation and improved working conditions can help reduce the temptation for engaging in corrupt practices out of financial need. It will also boost the morale of the police personnel and can attract more qualified individuals and motivate current officers to perform their duties with dedication. For so long, the issue of police reform has been a topic for discussion. Many past administrations promised to make that happen but little or nothing was done in that direction. With the National Security Adviser to the president, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission being former excellent policemen of high repute coupled with Acting IGP known for his knack for excellence and professionalism, there is no better time to push for police reform than now.
The Nigeria Police Force sure, needs comprehensive reforms and sustained efforts to improve its efficiency, professionalism, and public trust. The authorities must invest in regular and comprehensive training programmes for police officers which should focus on law enforcement skills, human rights, community policing, conflict resolution, and ethics to ensure officers are well-prepared to handle their responsibilities.
The recruitment and selection process particularly for the rank-and-file cadre should be improved upon so as to attract qualified and competent candidates. Merit-based hiring rather than ethnic, religious and political considerations, background checks, and psychological evaluations must be emphasised to ensure only the best candidates were selected to join the force. There is also the need for adequate investment in Infrastructure and Equipment. A situation where the police men and women we trust our lives into their hands continue to live in squalor with barely enough equipment to work with, will hardly achieve the positive results we crave for.  Modern and appropriate equipment, including communication tools, vehicles, forensic tools, and surveillance technology, should be provided to our law enforcement officers to enhance their effectiveness.
We have always heard that security is everybody’s business. That being the case, the various states and police commands must adopt community-oriented policing approaches that involve collaboration between the police and local communities. This, definitely, will foster trust, encourage cooperation, and ensure that the police addressed the specific needs and concerns of the people they serve. However, implementing these strategies requires political will, financial commitment, and collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including the government, police leadership, civil society, and the public. Long-term dedication to reform will be essential to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force and promote effective, accountable, and community-oriented policing. No doubt, this will make secondments, where VIPs use well trained police personnel as errand men and women, less attractive.

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Opinion

Kudos  Gov Fubara

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Please permit me to use this medium to appreciate our able governor, Siminalayi Fubara for the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road in Ahoada-East Local Government Area.  This inauguration marks a significant milestone in the history of our communities and deserves commendation. We, the people of Ozochi, are particularly happy because this project has brought long-awaited relief after years of isolation and hardship.
The expression of our traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Prince Ike Ehie, JP, during the inauguration captured the joy of our people.  He said, “our isolation is over.”  That reflects the profound impact of this road on daily life, economic activities, and social integration of the people of Ozochi and other neighbouring communities. The road will no doubt ease transportation, improve access to markets and healthcare, and strengthen links between Ahoada, Omoku, and other parts of Rivers State.
The people of Ahoada, Omoku, and indeed Rivers State as a whole are grateful to our dear governor for this laudable achievement and wish him many more successful years in office. We pray that God endows him with more wisdom and strength to continue to pilot the affairs of the state for the benefit of all. As citizens, we should rally behind the governor and support his development agenda. Our politicians and stakeholders should embrace peace and cooperation, as no meaningful progress can be achieved in an atmosphere of conflict. Sustainable development in the state can only thrive where peace prevails.
Samuel Ebiye
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Opinion

… And It Came To Pass

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Quote:“Leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation.”
Tell it  in Rivers State, publish it  in the streets of Port Harcourt, so  the daughters of the State could rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph and know that Fubara is not vindictive”. And it came to pass that Rivers State emerged from one of the most delicate chapters in its political journey, the period of emergency rule that spanned from March 18 to September 18, 2025. It was a season that tested institutions, strained loyalties, and exposed the fragile balance between power and principle. During that time, the suspended Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara DSSRS, was widely believed to have suffered not only political setbacks but personal betrayal, allegedly from some top civil servants within the state apparatus. These were individuals expected to uphold neutrality and professionalism, yet were accused in public opinion of taking sides against the very government they served.
As the emergency rule ended and Governor Fubara resumed office, expectations were shaped less by policy and more by emotion. Many assumed that revenge would quietly find expression through governance. The loudest suspicion centered on the 2025 Christmas bonus of ?100,000 traditionally paid to each worker. The thinking was simple and cynical: a wounded governor would surely withhold goodwill. Some voices even mocked workers  openly hoping that the governor would refuse to pay the bonus. To them, denial of the bonus would serve as proof of political strength and justified retaliation. In reality, such thinking revealed a troubling desire to see governance reduced to personal vendetta. Yet,  it came to pass, the governor chose a path that confounded suspicion. Against all expectations, the 2025 Christmas bonus was paid.
That single decision quietly but firmly reframed the narrative. It showed a leader focused on governance rather than grudges, on institutional continuity rather than emotional satisfaction. The payment was not a favor, nor was it a concession; it was a statement that public administration must rise above personal injury. By honoring the bonus, Governor Fubara demonstrated that leadership is not measured by how hard one strikes back, but by how steady one remains under provocation. He made it clear that workers’ welfare would not become collateral damage in political disagreements. This action also served as a moral rebuke to those who celebrated division and hoped for punishment. Governance is not validated by the suffering of workers, nor is leadership strengthened by withholding entitlements. At the same time, the issue of alleged sycophancy and betrayal within the civil service cannot be brushed aside. If proven, such conduct deserves firm, lawful, and institutional correction. Civil servants are bound by duty to the state, not to political conspiracies or shifting loyalties.
However, justice must never be confused with revenge. The strength of governance lies in correcting wrongs without destroying the system itself. Governor Fubara’s restraint suggested an understanding that the future of Rivers State mattered more than settling scores. For workers, this moment carried an important lesson. Celebration should be rooted in good governance, not in the expectation of another’s downfall. Rejoicing in rumors of denial or punishment undermines the very stability that protects workers’ welfare. Public service thrives where professionalism, mutual respect, and accountability are upheld. Pettiness, gossip, and political scheming only weaken institutions and erode trust. History often remembers leaders not for the crises they inherit, but for the character they display in response. In paying the 2025 Christmas bonus, Governor Fubara chose legacy over impulse, maturity over malice.
And so, it came to pass that focus defeated revenge, governance triumphed over bitterness, and Rivers State was reminded that true leadership is proven when restraint is expected least but delivered most. Beyond the symbolism of the Christmas bonus lies a deeper question about the kind of political culture Rivers State intends to cultivate in the years ahead. Periods of emergency rule, anywhere in the world, often leave behind residues of suspicion, fear, and silent realignments. Institutions do not emerge untouched; individuals recalibrate loyalties, some out of conviction, others out of self-preservation. What distinguishes stable democracies from fragile ones is not the absence of such moments, but the discipline with which leadership manages their aftermath. River.
King Onunwor
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Opinion

That Withdrawal of Police   Orderlies  From VIPs

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6 days ago

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January 2, 2026

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Quote:”Balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk in a country where the majority of citizens are still under-protected.”
The Presidential announcement on the removal of police orderlies from persons in authority and their relations  ( Very Important Persons ) last month came as a relief to many Nigerians who felt deprived    of one major  role of government ; security of lives and property.The higher  population of Nigerians  missed needed security because the VIPs and the VVIPs kept  retinue of Police Officers  totalling over 100 ,000 to  themselves and their family members as if they are all that matter  while some  communities under attack of terrorists  have no single unit of  police station located there in. While many hailed the announcement , some said perhaps the government has just woken up to her major responsibility of securing the lives and property of all  citizens while many expressed indifference on the note that it may be one of those pronouncements which come only in words but no action .Many keep their fingers crossed watching how it will play out , how Mr President  will  go about the implementation of the seemingly dicey  policy .
Benjamin Franklin  said “well said is better than well done ”  It is sufficient today to say that many Nigerians including me are still waiting and watching to see  how well  and how long this  return  of the Police service to the ordinary people will go . Wishing hopes will not be crashed ,  It  is note worthy, that  the recent complaints by the VIPs of being exposed to attacks  may in a way affect the action on implementation. Recently, at Senate plenary , another worrisome  angle came up as Senator Abdul Ningi  coming through a motion    disclosed that he had only one police officer attached to him ( his office ) and that  the officer was recalled the week before following  Mr President’s directive  . Senator Ningi said the withdrawal exposed him to high risks but underscored the angle that while his orderly  was recalled , many other politicians , men  and women in authority, business concerns   foreigners  and even children of some  VIPs are still enjoying retinue of police protection ( officially attached to them ).
 It’s note  worthy also that the Deputy Senate President , Distinguished Senator Jibrin Barau,  who presided  over  the session revealed that the  leadership of both chambers are already in discussion with President Tinubu on the need  to exempt  the law makers  from the new policy .  Senator Ningi may not be  wrong . After all he emphasized he is okay  provided that the removal of the Police Orderlies be done across board . Senator Barau noted that talks are on  over the issue of law makers’    in line with international practice . Further details from the Presidency  noted  that   Presiding officers  will retain their  police officers ,  others would have Civil Defense  officers ( NSCDC) as orderlies while  any other VIP who feels he or she deserves personal police protection should get clearance from  his office . In the midst of all  issues weighing in on the proper implementation , it becomes necessary  to bear in mind that  the decision  hinges on  the realization that Nigeria has peculiar security issues (of kidnappings, banditry, and terrorism.) and that  majority of Nigerians   are under protected.
More so, that if well  implemented, Police officers will focus on core duties; even as 30,000 new police officers are to  recruited to enhance security .That implementation  must be made in a  way that leaves no room.for selective  treatment loss of confidence  and  controversies.  Looking at previous attempts of  implementation  of this policy  gives faint hope  as several  attempts consistently failed . Former  IGPs like Tafa Balogun (2003), Ogbonnaya Onovo (2009), and Ibrahim Idris (2018) tried  the policy but all  failed due to political resistance from various angles. All the failed attempts  were tied to lack of political will  mostly due to the fact that the directives came from police chiefs, not the president. Selective Enforcement was another killer to the policy  as  partial implementation  met  resistance   and   later  reversal . Egbetokun (2023) and Adamu (2020) saw minimal impact.
Further more entrenched corruption in the system saw  Politicians and VIPs quietly regain police escorts due to ‘transactional economics”and pressure. Worse still the mindset of the  police officers  withdrawn didn’t help the policy Underpaid police prioritize VIP duties for extra benefits. Many wish President Tinubu’s move can  break this cycle.  As at today, he  still  insists the move is non-negotiable while stressing collaboration with states to upgrade training facilities. As citizens look forward to  success of the policy  without undue exposure of both sides, balancing VIP security with public safety remains a tightrope walk. Talk fades ; action echoes.  How the Presidency  implements this policy.  has  much to tell on the governments stand on national / community  security , choice of priority and the ability to   stand uncomprised . The known  goal is clear:  The outcome is  not yet certain.  Fingers crossed , we await . Definitely , time will tell.
By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi.
s State stood at such a crossroads in September 2025. The temptation to rule with a long memory and a heavy hand was real. Yet, the choice made signaled a preference for healing over hardening. Leadership after crisis demands more than administrative competence; it requires moral clarity.
 Governor Fubara’s decision reminded the state that authority is not best exercised through silent punishment or selective generosity. Rather, it is strengthened when rules remain rules, irrespective of personal injury. By keeping faith with workers, the government preserved an essential firewall between politics and public service. That firewall, once breached, turns governance into a battlefield where livelihoods become weapons. Rivers State narrowly avoided that descent. In doing so, it affirmed that institutions must outlive tempers, and governance must not mirror the bitterness of political seasons. This moment also invites sober introspection within the civil service itself. Allegations of partisanship, if left unresolved, corrode professionalism and weaken public confidence. A civil service that drifts into political camps loses its moral authority and operational effectiveness.
Therefore, reform, where necessary, should be guided by due process, transparency, and institutional review—not whispers, witch-hunts, or mob verdicts. Accountability strengthens systems when it is fair; it destroys them when it is arbitrary. The restraint shown by the executive places a corresponding burden on administrative leadership to restore discipline, neutrality, and pride in public service. For the wider political class and the commentariat, the episode serves as a caution against normalizing cruelty as strategy. The eagerness with which some anticipated workers’ suffering revealed a dangerous appetite for scorched-earth politics. When governance becomes a spectator sport where pain is cheered and deprivation is weaponized, society inches toward moral exhaustion. Rivers State has seen enough turbulence to know that stability is not sustained by triumphalism, but by restraint.
The lesson is simple yet profound: power is fleeting, but institutions endure; leaders pass, but precedents remain. In the end, the payment of the 2025 Christmas bonus was more than a fiscal act—it was a civic statement. It told workers they were not expendable. It told political actors that revenge would not be policy. And it told the state that maturity in leadership is not weakness, but strength under control. In a climate where many expected fire, restraint prevailed; where bitterness was predicted, balance emerged. Thus, Rivers State was offered a rare reminder that governance, at its best, is an act of discipline, and leadership, at its highest, is the courage to rise above provocation.
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