121 policemen who absconded after their transfer to north east reportedly dismissed
The authorities of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have reportedly fired 121 of its personnel, who allegedly absconded from a counter-terrorism training facility in a bid to avoid being posted to tackle Boko Haram insurgents.
It was learnt that at least 167 personnel absconded recently. Premium Times, which reported the names of those sacked, said the 121 personnel included the officers of the police rank-and-file.
READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
They were accused of committing mutiny and desertion. The action against them reportedly came in the form of an instruction from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris. Their dismissal comes with immediate effect, the report said.
The directive from the IGP has reportedly being received by many of the police units where the affected personnel were attached before they absconded to evade redeployment to the north east to tackle Boko Haram.
The IGP was said to have ordered the immediate retrieval all police equipment in their possession as well as get their names removed from payrolls.
The directive dated December 26, came a day after the news broke that the policemen, 167 out of the 2000 penciled for the redeployment, had absconded from a counter-insurgency training at the Nigerian Army Special Forces Training School in Buni Yadi, Yobe state.
The report said they disappeared when they learnt they would be posted to tackle Boko Haram in communities in the north east. They were subsequently declared wanted.
However, the Nigeria Police Force strongly denied the report and described the story as riddled with mischief and aimed at demoralizing the personnel.
A statement by Jimoh Moshood, the force spokesperson, insisted that all the 2000 personnel were complete and in very high spirit.
The police said all the 2000 policemen deployed to the region had all reported and are on ground for combat operation in the region, fighting alongside the military.
PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates
But the Nigerian Army discredited the claim by the police and authenticated the report that some of the personnel actually absconded.
According to the Nigerian Army, the police officers fled the training centre without permission. It said many of those who absconded have been caught.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the police authority ordered the arrest of those who absconded from the training in preparation for the redeployment.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. We have upgraded to serve you better.
Can Nigerian Soldiers really not deal with Boko Haram fighters?| Legit TV
Source: Legit.ng
