…By Joseph Benjamin for TDPel Media. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has categorically denied the allegations of deducting a sports levy from its officers’ salaries, dismissing the reports as mischievous and a deliberate attempt to undermine the long-standing tradition and integrity of the police.
An online platform had released a publication where some officers claimed to have been extorted millions of naira for the Inspector General of Police (IGP) through deductions from their June salaries, referred to as the IGP’s sports levy.
Varying Claims and Internal Communication
According to these officers, the deducted amounts, ranging from N500 to N5000, varied based on rank, and some officers emphasized the significant impact due to the large number of personnel involved.
An internal signal from the police authorities had instructed officers to contribute between N500 and N5000 as the IGP’s sports levy, depending on their rank.
Force Public Relations Officer’s Response
In a swift statement on Monday night, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, countered the claims made in the report, stating that they were baseless and misleading.
He clarified that the deduction accredited to the new Acting IGP had received approval several months prior to his appointment.
Clarification on Sports Levy and Approval Process
CSP Adejobi’s statement aimed to rectify the baseless and misleading news publication that aimed to tarnish the reputation and integrity of Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
He highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force Sports had been primarily funded through an annual deduction that had been in place for a significant period.
This practice was consolidated in 2003 and reviewed by the Force’s management in 2012.
Furthermore, the deduction attributed to the new Acting IGP had been approved before his appointment.
Denouncement of Sensationalism and Call for Verification
The statement strongly criticized the attempt to sensationalize this longstanding annual practice and personalize it to the current Inspector General of Police, deeming it mischievous and a disservice to the established facts.
The purveyors of the misinformation were accused of distorting the truth and creating unnecessary mischief to mislead the public.
The Nigeria Police Force urged the public and media outlets to verify information and refrain from spreading baseless claims that aimed to tarnish the image of the force.
They encouraged well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the malicious publication and emphasized the importance of seeking accurate and reliable sources of information.