No female police officer will be ejected from Barracks for residing with civilian spouse — IGP says

The Nigerian Police has reacted to the report making the rounds that a number of policewomen married to civilians living in different barracks in Enugu State are on the verge of being homeless following an order by the police authorities directing them to vacate the facilities before January 31, 2022.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has assured that no female Police Officer in Police Barracks across the country would be ejected for residing with a civilian spouse.

According to a statement released by the Nigerian Police spokesperson Frank Mba, The IGP is miffed with the said “directive” and described it as unlawful, discriminatory, obnoxious, reprehensive and totally out of tune with the concept of equality as enshrined in our Constitution.

He noted that the “directive” is not in line with the Force Gender Policy which institutionalizes gender mainstreaming as a core value in the Nigeria Police Force.

The IGP further noted that a Police Force that has produced several top-ranking, successful female officers, including Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), State Command Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, DPOs, eminent Spokespersons, an Olympic Gold Medallist, amongst others, will never walk such a retrogressive path.

The IGP further noted that a Police Force that has produced several top-ranking, successful female officers, including Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), State Command Commissioners of Police, Area Commanders, DPOs, eminent Spokespersons, an Olympic Gold Medallist, amongst others, will never walk such a retrogressive path.

Meanwhile, the IGP has ordered the Force Provost Marshal to carry out immediate investigations into the viral document and assures stern disciplinary action against any person(s) found wanting.

He calls on members of the public, particularly, female Police Officers and their families, who might have become disturbed as a result of the unconscientious directive, to ignore same as the said illegal order is null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

The IGP further assures that the Force remains committed to advancing the general well-being, rights, and privileges of its personnel, irrespective of rank or gender.