By Adewole Kehinde
“Every honourable man is forced to yield to blackmail once or twice in his life, just for the sake of keeping peace in the community” – Don Marquis.
In recent times, Nigeria has made a commendable stride towards gender inclusivity in security leadership, particularly within the Nigerian Police Force.
Female officers who have demonstrated resilience, competence, and integrity have continued to rise through the ranks, a development that should be celebrated, not vilified. Yet, rather than receive the accolades they rightfully deserve, some of these women have become targets of malicious blackmail, character assassination, and unfounded allegations.
This trend is not only disgraceful but also symptomatic of a deeper societal problem: the discomfort of some with seeing women succeed, particularly in spaces traditionally dominated by men.
The recent promotions of female officers under the administration of IGP Kayode Egbetokun have sparked baseless insinuations, often aimed at questioning the merit of their rise. These insinuations, laced with sexism and envy, are as outdated as they are unjust.
Blackmail is a coward’s weapon, used by those who lack the credibility, courage, or competence to confront others on a level playing field. What is even more appalling is the deliberate targeting of these female officers’ personal lives, rather than their professional achievements.
Such acts not only demean the individuals involved but also damage the image of the police institution and the morale of other hardworking officers, both male and female.
Let us be clear: promotions in the Nigeria Police Force are guided by service records, discipline, years of commitment, and other performance-based metrics.
Female officers who have climbed the ladder have done so through years of diligence, often balancing the complexities of policing with societal expectations placed on women.
Attempting to tarnish their names through blackmail or scandal-mongering will not reverse their accomplishments. If anything, such attacks expose the desperation of detractors who feel threatened by progress. They cannot halt the wheels of change that are already in motion. Nigerian women have come too far in policing, in governance, in business, and in civic society to be pulled down by innuendo and slander.
The Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission must continue to protect the integrity of the promotion process and ensure that no officer is discouraged or distracted by orchestrated attempts to discredit their rise. Internal disciplinary mechanisms should also be activated to bring those engaging in blackmail to book, whether they are within the Force or outside it.
It is high time we evolved as a society. Merit should be recognised and celebrated, regardless of gender. Instead of spreading harmful gossip and falsehoods, let us support the efforts of these trailblazing women who are helping to redefine the image of the Nigeria Police Force.
To every female officer promoted on merit: your progress is valid. Stand firm. No smear campaign can erase the years you have dedicated to protecting this country. Your work speaks for you louder than the lies ever could. And to those who feel threatened by strong women in uniform, you are on the wrong side of history.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst and advocate for police reform and institutional development.
