The Ndigbo Young Professionals (NYP) has corrected a misleading publication by an online medium, which claimed that the Police Authorities are moving to clamp down on protests.
Reacting to a report by Sahara Reporters titled, “Police Retirees Write IGP Egbetokun, Vow To Storm Abuja July 21 Over Pension Hardship, Say ‘Abject Poverty’ Causing Rampant Deaths”, the National Coordinator of NYP, Ambassador Chukwuemeka Chinonso, stated that the current Inspector-General of Police is not against peaceful protests, as has been evident in all protests held so far under his leadership.
“What the Police Authorities are against is mutiny. Mutiny against the Nigeria Police Force is illegal and explicitly prohibited under Nigerian law.
“Under Section 96 of the Nigeria Police Act 2020 (as amended), any police officer who initiates, abets, encourages, or participates in mutiny, sedition, or disturbance—or fails to report or suppress such actions—may face disciplinary proceedings, dismissal, and criminal prosecution.”
Ambassador Chinonso further emphasised that the law is clear and well-known to all serving police personnel.
“We are not against the protest by the Nigerian Union of Retired Police Officers under the Contributory Pension Scheme. What we are against is Omoyele Sowore’s attempt to incite serving police personnel to mutiny.”
“We wish to remind Omoyele Sowore that Sections 44–46 of the Criminal Code Act criminalise inciting or attempting to persuade any member of the police or armed forces to desert or mutiny. This offence is punishable by life imprisonment.”
In conclusion, NYP called on the Federal Government to urgently reform the police pension system and abolish the contributory pension scheme, which retirees say has failed to provide them with dignity in retirement.
