PSC warns dismissal of policemen who desert their job

 PSC warns dismissal of policemen who desert their job

By Modupe Shodeinde

The Police Service Commission has warned policemen to return to their duty post or face dismissal as prescribed by the Public Service Rules.

This warning came due to the absence of policemen on the streets and many flashpoints in states across the country, following the killing of cops in the violence that ensued after the #EndSARS protest.

The PSC spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, has said that the Public Service Rules which prescribes dismissal of any officer that deserts his job also applies to the police force.

He stated, “The Nigeria Police Force is part of the public service and the public service is guided by the Public Service Rules. If you don’t come to work without permission, the punishment is dismissal if it is proven.

“The police as public servants are guided by the rules; so, they cannot on their own say they won’t go to work. Although, the Police Service Commission is also working to make sure they are protected because they are human beings; their lives also matter.”

While the PSC spokeperson said that policemen are also human beings and they should be protected, he implored that the killing of their colleagues should not be an excuse for them to abandon their job of protecting the nation

The spokesperson also cautioned against the attack on law enforcement agents which he said would “be an ill-wind that blows nobody any good” but bring anarchy in the country.

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In a statement on Friday, the Force Headquarters said 22 police personnel were killed while many others were injured by #ENDSARS protesters.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on Friday, during a tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja, encouraged policemen to protect themselves henceforth if they are attacked.

He stated that “If the police are demoralised, criminals will take over the public space and we will not let that happen. No amount of insults and provocation will make us shy away from our responsibilities.”

“Inasmuch as we are aware that government is behind us; so, we would encourage you to keep performing your duties. We would encourage you to be professional, to be civic, but if anybody touches you, if anybody comes to assault you, you can also protect yourself.

“When we talk of human rights, the police are human beings; so, the rights of police officers would also be protected. We are sending the message that legally, we have the right to protect ourselves but while we are doing that, we make sure we do that when we are endangered.”

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