How IGP Suspends Female SPY Police Officers For Misconduct

By Oladosu Oluwagbenga

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has issued a severe warning on the illegal and unjustified use of Police uniforms restricted to legitimate serving officers of the Nigerian Police Force in light of the rising prevalence of human rights violations linked to abuse of police uniforms.

Due to their violations of the Police Act of 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment, Promotion, and Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY), 2013, the IGP has ordered the immediate suspension of two Supernumerary Police (SPY) Officers.

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On August 3, 2022, one of the spy officers shared a video of the Inspector-General of Police capturing the spy officers in a viral video.

In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that the Supernumerary Police was created solely to supplement the services of regular Police Officers when needed by Ministries, Departments and Agencies/Multi-National Companies, and Banks who make requests and upon approval, pay for their training. The Supernumerary Police were established by the combined effects of the Police Act, 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment, Promotion, and Discipline of Supernumerary (POLICE ACT OF 2020, SECTIONS 21–24).

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Adejobi remarked It is equally important to note that, in accordance with Section 25 (2) (3) of the Police Act of 2020 and the 2013 Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment, Promotion, and Disciplinary Action Against Supernumerary Police (SPY) issued by the Inspector-General of Police (Guidelines for SPYs), SPY officers with ranks higher than Assistant Superintendent of Police are not permitted to wear uniforms.

Existing laws also outline the Supernumerary uniform. It specifies that they must be wearing their authorized uniform, which includes an ash-colored shirt with “SPY” writing all over it over black with the term “SUPERNUMERARY” on the shoulder insignia.

“Supernumerary Officers adorning police black, neon blue or camouflage uniforms run afoul of the law and would be adequately sanctioned.

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“The suspended supernumerary officers – Obaze Blessing with SPY number 5709, and Obaze Emmanuella Uju with SPY number 5708, adorned themselves in conventional police officers’ uniforms contrary to the code regulating the SPY service. One of them similarly adorned the rank of Superintendent of Police which is contrary to extant laws.

“Above all, they portrayed themselves in the viral video and other videos as undisciplined and unprofessional, in contravention of the Police Social Media Policy, with acts glorifying ill-gotten wealth and ill-morals, which has received wide condemnation from members of the public.

‘”The Police hereby calls on all Supernumerary Officers to adhere strictly with extant laws as strict sanctions would apply to erring officers. The Force is similarly revisiting other matters of infractions against members of the Supernumerary Police with a view to handing out necessary sanctions to other defaulters.”