‘Worst Conspiracy’ Against Police: IGP Warns Banks Against Delays In Salaries

Mr. MD Abubakar, IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. MD Abubakar, has condemned in very strong terms the recurring delay in the payment of salaries of police personnel by some commercial banks involved in the processing of their salaries.

In a statement signed by police spokesman Frank Mba, the IGP described the practice as the worst conspiracy against the Force and warned the banks and their personnel of the dire consequences, including, but not limited to a reconsideration of the existing relationship between the Police and the banks if the trend continues.

Mr. Abubakar made the remarks at Force Headquarters in Abuja today during a meeting with bank representatives.

He described as unacceptable a situation where the Federal Government would release the salaries meant for the Police as early as the middle of the month, only for the banks to deliberately delay payment till the following month.  Such a practice, he stated, has exposed “the officers and men of the Force to undue pressures and extreme difficulties”.

Mr. Mba said the brief meeting ended with immense apologies from the bankers who pledged to ensure speedy disbursement of Police salaries henceforth.  In attendance were members of the Police Management Team; the Director of Finance and Administration, Ministry of Police Affairs; as well as representatives of First Bank, Skye Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank.

Under the current e-payment system, all Police officers receive their salaries directly through the banks, the spokesman noted.