MUTINY: 167 POLICEMEN RISK TRIAL FOR ABSCONDING FROM TRANING FACILITY OVER FEAR OF BOKO HARAM

However, further findings revealed, that other reasons which prompted the disappearance of the policemen from the training facility include none-conducive atmosphere, coupled with lack of adequate food and accommodation

Penpushing reliably gathered that, the fleeing officers have now been declared wanted, just as sources informed that, a signal has been issued by the police authorities that, they should be arrested anywhere found.  It was also learnt that four of the officers lost their lives to ill-health, while one of them lost his spinal cord during training

The fled policemen were reported not to submit their arms, ammunition and other official equipment in their possession when they fled, a development the authorities regarded as a serious security threat to their abscondment.

It was gathered further that, the mobile police officers after completion of training were scheduled to be deployed around Maiduguri, the Capital of Boko Haram’s heartland of Borno State, and other relatively peaceful settlements in the region.

“It was after their training when they were told that they will be deployed to the frontlines that many absconded. They thought they will be deployed in town to mount checkpoints and be extorting innocent citizens’, an official who doesn’t want name mentioned was quoted

 However, the official also explained that the public should not totally condemn the police officers action, noting that their action was largely informed by the recent development in the counter-terrorism operations.

The official added, “they are seeing how the operation is being mismanaged by an incompetent and corrupt Army leadership, and therefore do not want to suffer the same fate as soldiers who are being wasted carelessly in large number. When did the police start sending its officers to army training school when we have our own?  Even when they are deployed for joint operations, each agency trains its own’.

Penpushing further learnt reliably that, alert was sent to about 25 mopol units in 20 states across the country, with the names and service numbers of the deserters attached, while findings as at the time revealed that, as at the time of filing this report, some of the fled officers have started returning to the facility, knowing the consequence of their actions.

However, in reaction to the development, the Force Police Public Relations, Jimoh Moshood expressed counter view, arguing that, ‘all 2,000 policemen deployed by the Force to the North East have reported and are on ground on combat operation in the North East fighting along with the Military in the front line against Boko Haram insurgency. 

Penpushing reports that, Moshood in a statement made available on Wednesday emphasized, that the 2000 police personnel deployed are in high morale and high spirit in the operation, adding that no police personnel absconded as alleged.  

‘The Force wishes to categorically state that the story is untrue, absolute falsehood and a deliberate attempt to cast aspersions on the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Penpushing also reports that story of absondenment was  not correct and should be disregarded by members of the public, stating that these 2,000 police personnel are to complement the efforts of the Military to add new impetus to the fight against the decimated Boko Haram insurgency.

‘The Police Mobile Force (PMF) personnel have been engaged actively in the front line along with the Military in the fight against Boko Haram terrorist group since the inception of the insurgency. These 2000 Police Officers recently deployed are in addition to several thousands of Police Personnel already engaged in the fight against insurgency with the Military in the North East.

‘The Nigeria Police Force will continue to hold the media in a very high regard as a veritable partner in ensuring adequate security and success of the fight against insurgency, however, the media are implored not allow their esteemed publication be used publish falsehood capable of misinforming and misleading the public’, Moshood stressed.