Police detains supernumerary policeman over political comment
Police detains supernumerary policeman over political comment
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Nigeria Police Force has detained a supernumerary police officer for engaging in political activities while dressing in a Spy Police uniform in Edo State.
The officer (name held) is alleged to have interfered in the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections, which have been circulating on social media platforms.
Supernumerary Police Officers are private individuals trained by the Nigeria Police for specific security functions, primarily within their place of employment. They are not on the payroll of the NPF and do not swear to the oath of allegiance like sworn regular police officers, thus they have the right to belong to any political party of their choice and freedom of expression.
The NPF in a statement on Wednesday, by the Force spokesperson, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, frowned at the officer for wearing his official SPY uniform and engaging in political activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force has been made aware of a recent video evidencing political comment by an individual dressed in a Spy Police uniform regarding the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections, which has been circulating on social media platforms. The NPF strongly condemns this act and clarifies that the individual is not a regular officer of the Nigeria Police Force, but a Supernumerary (Spy) Police Officer employed by a private company.
“The individual involved has been arrested for further investigations. We reiterate that his political comments do not reflect the views of the Nigeria Police,” the statement reads in parts.
The NPF enjoined the public to ignore any such statements and trust in the force’s continued commitment to professionalism, neutrality, and the rule of law.
