Twenty-three policemen who refused to participate in a military operation against Boko Haram insurgents in March 2015 are to face orderly room trial for alleged insubordination.
The men, who were earlier detained by the military for 26 days for not joining military personnel in a counter-terrorism offensive against insurgents in Borno State, have been directed to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to face the consequences of their action.
The officers had received counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism training in Belarus in 2014. Upon their return to the country, they were ordered to go for a military operation which they refused, saying they needed to get a signal (directive) from the Force Headquarters before they could participate in it.
They were detained on April 20, 2015 in a military facility at Gwagwalada, Abuja, for demanding explanation from the Army authorities on the procedure for their ‘conscription’ into the Army. They were subsequently released on May 15.
Sources informed newsmen on Monday that the policemen had been directed by the Inspector, Administration, Force Headquarters, to report at the Provost’s office for trial.
The men were said to have received a text ordering them to report for the disciplinary exercise which may lead to their demotion or dismissal from the service.
The text message sent to the personnel read, “You are to report at Provost, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on June 29, 2015, for the orderly room trial. Don’t fail to come, Inspector, Administration, Provost Police, FHQ, Abuja.”
One of the affected policemen said they refused to take part in the military operation because they were asked to wear military uniforms when they were not soldiers, adding that there was no order from their superiors, “and they could easily disown us if something goes wrong.”
But a senior police officer countered his argument, saying the Constitution permits the conscription of any policeman into the military, citing Section 4 of the Police Act.
The Police Act, Cap.A19 says, “The police shall be employed for the prevention and detection of crimes, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations with which they are directly charged, and shall perform such military duties within and outside Nigeria, as may be required of them by, or under the authority of this or any other Act.”
A Police Service Commission official, however, said it was improper for the military to ask policemen to participate in a military operation without a direct order from the Force Headquarters.
When contacted, the Head, Press and Public Relations, PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said it is within the purview of the Inspector-General of Police to conduct an orderly room trial for the policemen.
“The IG can conduct an orderly room trial for the policemen, but whatever decision they arrived at would be brought to the Police Service Commission for approval. So, the commission has the power to approve or dismiss the recommendation if it is not in line with laid down rules and regulations,” he explained.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the police had the right to discipline their officers “on any issues and they (policemen) are free to defend themselves.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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