By Amb. Chukwuemeka Chinonso
After several attempts to blackmail the current leadership of the Nigeria Police, the self-acclaimed human rights activist Omoyele Sowore shifted his attention to police pensioners.
I have seen many of his write-ups on a planned nationwide protest scheduled for July 21, 2025.
We all know that protest is a public expression of objection, disapproval, or dissent toward an idea, policy, action, or situation, often involving a group of people gathering to make their concerns known.
As for the security agencies, they have several channels to express their disapproval, and protest is never one of them.
A serving security agent who embarks on a protest should be ready for the consequences, as that amounts to mutiny.
Mutiny is a rebellion or insurrection against authority. It typically involves security personnel refusing to obey orders, challenging the leadership, or attempting to overthrow their superiors.
Police mutiny refers to a situation where police officers collectively disobey lawful orders, rebel against their superiors, or refuse to carry out their duties in defiance of authority.
It is considered a serious breach of discipline and can destabilise law enforcement operations, pose a threat to public safety, and undermine the rule of law.
There are no serving police personnel who will claim ignorance that they are legally prohibited from striking or protesting.
They also know that the consequences for embarking on a protest include suspension, dismissal, and criminal prosecution.
Despite knowing that there are channels to express their disapproval, some serving police personnel fell into the trap set up by Omoyele Sowore by gathering momentum for the planned nationwide protest scheduled for July 21, 2025.
I am not against retired police personnel protesting to demand improved working conditions for both serving and retired police personnel, but I am against serving personnel embarking on a protest.
I heard that an officer attached to the Idanre Police Station in Ondo State, Inspector Emoruwa Olabode, was purportedly arrested over a message allegedly shared in a WhatsApp group concerning a planned nationwide protest scheduled for July 21, 2025.
If it is true, then the so-called inspector should face the consequences of his actions.
It is disheartening to read a post from the mischievous self-acclaimed activist Sowore saying that the “illegal” IGP Kayode Egbetokun should free Inspector Olabode Emoruwa.
Is it the IGP that arrested the so-called Inspector Olabode Emoruwa? I am very sure that Inspector Olabode Emoruwa knows the consequences of his actions and will only complicate his case by bringing in the mischievous self-acclaimed activist, Sowore, into his case.
Serving police personnel ignorantly joining Sowore’s campaign should know that he can decide to relocate to New York, where his family is based, while they face the consequences of mutiny alone.
The present Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun, has not relented on the welfare of both serving and retired police personnel.
Since many of its retirees have devoted their lives to serving and protecting our country, the Nigeria Police Force is not indifferent to their predicament.
The IGP prioritises the well-being of both active and retired officers, and it acknowledges that maintaining institutional integrity and morale depends on prompt and sufficient pension administration.
The IGP is not giving up and has promised all officers, retired and active, and their families that the Force is dedicated to enhancing welfare and creating a system that recognises their contributions.
IGP Egbetokun has remained unwavering in his commitment to police personnel welfare and is engaged in cooperative efforts to establish a fair and decent pension system.
In conclusion, police mutiny is a grave act of insubordination that can have far-reaching legal consequences.
Amb. Chukwuemeka Chinonso writes from Akwa, Anambra State
