As part of the demands of #EndSARS protesters, the federal government has directed the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission to act on a new salary structure for police officers in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 approved a new salary structure for the law enforcement agents but it is yet to be implemented.
The improvement in the welfare of police personnel is one of the five demands of #EndSARS protesters advocating against police brutality and the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
While poor remuneration cannot be cited as the reason for misconduct, this paper had reported how the meagre salaries of the personnel affect the discharge of their duties.
Tens of thousands of officers of the Nigerian police receive some of the poorest pay even in the West African sub-region, PREMIUM TIMES findings revealed.
Days after the nationwide demonstrations started, the federal government dissolved the SARS and replaced it with the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) squad.
Before the protest was hijacked by hoodlums and ended abruptly, the government had restated its commitment to meeting all the demands of the protesters.
Judicial panels of inquiry have been set up in many states to look into the cases of rights violations for the purpose of justice and compensation for victims.
However, in the updated version of government’s effort to reform the police force contained in a flyer posted by the ministry of information, the federal government said it is working on the welfare of the officers.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator and a recipient of the D9112 Superstar Icon Award, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
