Some policemen have complained about career stagnation as failure to pay a N10,000 bribe demand in December 2024 meant they did not get promoted to higher ranks in the force.

Speaking to FIJ on condition of anonymity, the policemen said many joined the police force about 20 years ago but were stuck in the same rank for over three years because they did not have money to bribe the administrative office in Abuja.

This N10,000 bribe demand, they told FIJ, was a regular feature during promotion season as each policeman had to forward their details to the administrative office. This office then calls for clarification and confirmation of all submitted documents.

During the call, the policeman hears, “Don’t forget mail money,” and they have to pay the sum to the officer so their documents get through to the Police Service Commission (PSC) for approval.

Those who did not pay the bribe lost their shot at a promotion and remained in the same rank while their juniors who could pay took on senior roles.

Speaking about the situation, one policeman said, “The Force secretary’s office in Abuja sent a nationwide signal on Friday, December 6, 2024, instructing every Superintendent of Police (SP) promoted on or before August 1, 2021, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) promoted on or before December 31, 2021, and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) confirmed on or before December 19, 2021, to forward their completed APER forms to the admin office before that day ended.”

READ ALSO: Okpebholo Appoints Self-Confessed Political Thug Kabaka as Revenue Collection Consultant

The APER form is an annual performance evaluation review document used in the civil service.

FIJ saw a copy of this police signal. It read, “As a matter of urgency inform SPs promoted on or before 01/08/2021, DSPs promoted on or before 31/12/2021, ASPs confirmed on or before 19/12/2021 serving yours (including specialists) to forward their duly completed APER forms for the periods of 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“Officers are to clearly indicate their AP numbers on top of the APER forms which should be received on or before Friday, 06/12/2024, unfailingly. Treat as very urgent, please.”

This policeman who spoke with FIJ added, “Everybody documented that day. Most of us submitted our document to the main admin online. They called us, asked specific questions and we all did everything.

“Naturally, it should be free but some people in the admin section will tell you that before they can forward your information, each person must pay N10,000.

READ ALSO: UNDERCOVER: With N45,000, I Got Valid Police Character Certificate for Kirikiri Prison Inmate

“The admin office will collect the money and share it with the welfare department. Those of us who did not pay that money did not see our names in the promotion list for 2024. Both the admin and welfare departments do this. We don’t even get uniforms from them. We buy ourselves and pay for everything.”

On February 4, FIJ called Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), but he replied via WhatsApp saying he had not heard of this malpractice before. He asked that the affected policemen reach him directly.

“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.”

These policemen, however, could not reach the FPRO as he requested because they had already spoken to the press and were concerned about repercussions.

FIJ sent an email to the PSC on Tuesday, but as of press time, the commission had not responded. FIJ also placed several calls to numbers listed on the PSC website but they were unreachable.

Ojukwu is a reporter with FIJ in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.