By Onukak Wisdom Okon
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a Supernumerary Police Officer for wearing his official uniform while engaging in political campaign activities.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the officer was arrested for misusing his official uniform and impersonating a regular police officer.
The officer, whose name has not been disclosed, was seen in a video circulating on social media wearing his Spy Police uniform and making political comments during a campaign rally in Edo State.
The NPF condemned the officer’s actions, stating that he had breached the force’s code of conduct and rules governing political activities.
“The Nigeria Police Force has been made aware of a recent video evidencing political comment by an individual dressed in a Spy Police uniform regarding the upcoming Edo State gubernatorial elections, which has been circulating on social media platforms.
“The NPF strongly condemns this act and clarifies that the individual is not a regular officer of the Nigeria Police Force, but a Supernumerary (Spy) Police Officer employed by a private company.
“Supernumerary Police Officers are private individuals trained by the Nigeria Police for specific security functions, primarily within their place of employment.
“They are not on the payroll of the NPF and do not swear to the oath of allegiance like sworn regular police officers, thus they have the right to belong to any political party of their choice and freedom of expression. In this extant case, the Police frowns at the wearing of his official SPY uniform and engaging in political activities.
“The individual involved has been arrested for further investigations. We reiterate that his political comments do not reflect the views of the Nigeria Police, and the public is urged to disregard any such statements and trust in our continued commitment to professionalism, neutrality, and the rule of law.”-It reads.
