61 policemen reinstated in Rivers

27.12.2007

THE police have reinstated 61 of its officers and men affected by last year’s rationalisation exercise in the Rivers State command.

According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, 3,109 policemen had been reinstated nationwide by the Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro, after reviewing the exercise.

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr Felix Ogbaudu, told NAN in Port Harcourt on Wednesday that some of the affected officers protested against their retrenchment.

He said the Inspector General then set up a committee to review complaints on the exercise.

Ogbaudu said 3,109 officers had been reinstated nationwide, while 61 of them were from his command.

“Those reinstated would start work on Tuesday, January 1. Our command has 56 constables and five corporals who have been reinstated,’’ he said.

Ogbaudu also said the Inspector General had approved the withdrawal of policemen attached to some individuals as escorts with immediate effect.

He said a team of police officers from Abuja had already been in Port Harcourt to effect the order and urged beneficiaries of police escorts to release them quickly.

He directed the affected policemen to promptly report to their units or squadrons for redeployment, warning that those who refused to comply with directive would be arrested.

“By this new order, all approvals made by previous commissioners on escorts have been cancelled and policemen are advised to obey the order immediately,’’ he said.