A growing controversy has erupted within the Nigerian Police Force as several officers have come forward with shocking allegations that they were denied promotions due to their refusal to pay a N10,000 bribe. The affected officers, some of whom have dedicated over two decades to the force, revealed that despite meeting all criteria for career advancement, they have remained stuck in the same rank while their juniors, who allegedly complied with the bribery demand, have progressed.
The officers, who spoke under strict anonymity due to fear of retaliation, detailed how the alleged corruption is deeply embedded within the system, particularly in the administrative office in Abuja. According to them, the process of police promotions requires officers to submit their documents for verification and clearance before their names are forwarded to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for approval. However, they claim that at this crucial stage, officers receive a subtle but clear demand—“Don’t forget mail money.” Those who refuse to comply often find their documents sidelined, with no explanations provided, and their names missing from the final promotion list.
The frustration among the affected officers peaked in December 2024 when the Force Secretary’s office in Abuja issued a nationwide directive instructing all eligible officers, including Superintendents of Police (SP), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP), and Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP), to submit their Annual Performance Evaluation Review (APER) forms. This document, which evaluates an officer’s professional conduct and performance, is a key requirement for promotion within the force. The directive, dated December 6, 2024, emphasized urgency, stating that all submissions must be made before the close of business that day.
Despite fulfilling all requirements and submitting their APER forms, many officers claim they were unfairly denied promotions simply because they refused to pay the N10,000 bribe. One officer, visibly frustrated, revealed that the bribe is allegedly funneled through the administrative and welfare departments, which then ensure that only those who “cooperate” receive favorable recommendations for promotion.
“Naturally, promotions should be based on merit and seniority,” one affected officer lamented. “But here, if you don’t pay, your file doesn’t move. Even the uniforms we wear, we buy them ourselves. Nothing is given freely, and now, they are asking us to pay just to advance in our careers.”
The allegations, though widespread, have been met with silence from top-ranking officials within the police force. When contacted, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Muyiwa Adejobi stated that he was unaware of such practices and urged affected officers to report their cases directly to him.
“I doubt if anyone has been denied promotion because it is by seniority now,” Adejobi said. “If they have been cheated, let them reach out.”
However, the officers remain hesitant to take this route, fearing that exposing their identities could result in serious repercussions, including being targeted for victimization or outright dismissal.
Efforts by journalists to get an official response from the Police Service Commission (PSC) have so far yielded no results. Despite multiple calls and emails sent to the commission, there has been no response as of the time of reporting.
This incident has once again highlighted the deep-rooted corruption within Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies, raising concerns about the integrity of the police force. While allegations of bribery and favoritism have long plagued the system, the fact that officers are now being forced to pay bribes just to get promoted adds a new layer of concern.
For many, this situation underscores the broader issue of corruption in Nigeria’s public institutions, where merit is often overlooked in favor of financial inducements. If unchecked, such practices could further erode public confidence in law enforcement, reinforcing the widespread belief that justice and career progression in Nigeria are only accessible to those willing to pay their way through the system.
As pressure mounts for the authorities to take action, the key question remains—will the government launch an independent investigation into these allegations, or will this issue be swept under the rug like countless others before it? The fate of these officers and the credibility of the Nigerian Police Force now hang in the balance.
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