Impersonation: 2 SPY Police Suspended As IGP Issues Strict Warning On Misuse Of Force Restricted Uniforms

Two supernumerary police officers (SPY) have been suspended by Force Headquarters with ‘immediate effect’ for reportedly adorning conventional police officers’ uniforms contrary to the code regulating the SPY service.

www.bigpenngr.com reports this is coming as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on Friday, issued a strict warning on the incessant, illegal and unwarranted use of Police Uniforms restricted to bonafide serving officers of the Nigeria Police Force.

The officers were suspended over breach of the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, and The Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY) 2013 following a viral video posted by one of the officers on August 3, 2022.

Force Headquarters Public Relation Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement conveying the suspension order, said that the suspended supernumerary officers – Obaze Blessing with SPY number 5709, and Obaze Emmanuella Uju with SPY number 5708, had 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.

He said that the officers portrayed themselves in a 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.

Giving a background of the SPY Police service, he said; “The Supernumerary Police, by the combined effects of the Police Act, 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY),2013 was established solely to complement 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 and cover their emoluments for the period of their engagement. (Sections 21-24 of the Police Act, 2020).

“It is equally important to mention that in line with Section 25 (2) (3) of the Police Act, 2020 and the Nigeria Police Guidelines for Recruitment/Promotion/Discipline of Supernumerary Police (SPY), 2013 issued by the Inspector-General of Police (Guidelines for SPYs), the mode of dressing of SPY police mandates its SPY officers above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police not to wear uniforms.

“Similarly, extant laws delineate the Supernumerary uniform. It states that they must be on their approved uniform, ash coloured shirt with “SPY” inscriptions all over, over black with shoulder badge carrying the word “SUPERNUMERARY”. Supernumerary Officers adorning police black, neon blue or camouflage uniforms run afoul of the law and would be adequately sanctioned.

“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”, the statement said..