The South West Youth Alliance has dismissed as misleading a Sahara Reporters publication titled “We Haven’t Been Paid A Dime”: 160 Nigerian Police Officers Lament Unpaid 20-Month Allowances After Somalia Peacekeeping Mission.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Director, Adenike Ajanlekoko, the group described the report as capable of undermining the morale of Nigerian police personnel serving both at home and abroad.
According to the SWYA, credible sources within the Police and relevant authorities confirmed that payment processes for the Somalia Peacekeeping Mission allowances are ongoing and at an advanced stage.
It explained that peacekeeping entitlements often require clearance between international mission administrators, the Nigerian Government, and Police headquarters, a procedure that may cause delays but does not indicate neglect or embezzlement.
The group also faulted an unnamed officer quoted in the Sahara Reporters story as alleging that corruption in the system would prevent the payment, describing the claim as speculative and damaging to public confidence.
It noted that the Nigeria Police Force has consistently met its obligations to personnel once due processes are concluded.
While acknowledging that police officers are free to resign if they wish, the Alliance maintained that such decisions should be made in line with established procedures and not based on “misleading narratives or fearmongering.”
The SWYA expressed solidarity with Nigerian police officers serving on peacekeeping missions and urged media outlets to prioritise factual accuracy over sensational headlines.
It also called on Sahara Reporters to retract or correct the story in the interest of journalistic integrity and public trust.