Nigerian Police Officers Deployed To Zamfara, Kebbi To Fight Lakurawa Terrorists Lament Prolonged Posting Without Rotation, Say ‘ We Are Tired’

 

One of the affected officers disclosed this in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, appealing to the Nigeria Police Force authorities to intervene and ensure their immediate replacement.

Some police officers deployed on special security operations in Zamfara and Kebbi states have raised the alarm over prolonged postings without rotation, alleging that they have spent several months away from their families despite repeated assurances that they would be replaced.

One of the affected officers disclosed this in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, appealing to the Nigeria Police Force authorities to intervene and ensure their immediate replacement.

He said the officers were initially deployed to Zamfara State on January 28 for a special security operation, with assurances that they would be rotated after two to three months.

However, he alleged that they spent about nine months in the state without being replaced.

He explained that the team was subsequently moved from Zamfara to Kebbi State on February 20 for another special assignment.

According to him, the officers submitted their deployment documents to the Kebbi State Police Command after receiving the necessary signal from their superiors.

He alleged that while personnel attached to other operational units were being rotated, his team was repeatedly left behind despite several complaints to their superiors.

“We have been here for four months. All other squad rooms changed their men. We complained to our own squadron to change us, and they said they would change us. We still spent another four months, but they never changed us,” he told SaharaReporters.

He further alleged that officers who arrived in Kebbi after his team had been deployed were subsequently replaced, while the original personnel continued to remain at the operational base.

The officer said they were later informed that a new squadron would be established to take over their responsibilities, raising hopes that they would finally be relieved of the assignment.

However, he claimed that the arrangement did not result in their replacement.

He disclosed that 10 officers were initially deployed from Zamfara to the location in Kebbi State.

According to him, one of the officers died during an operation, while another became seriously ill and was taken back home.

He said the number of officers subsequently reduced to eight before another officer left following information that a new squadron would be established, leaving seven personnel.

He added that when arrangements were later made for the deployment of personnel to the new squadron, authorities reportedly directed each squadron to provide 15 officers.

However, he alleged that their operational base, identified as Base 42, provided only seven additional officers, bringing the total number of personnel attached to their team to 14.

He said the development had further frustrated the officers, who were desperate to be relieved of the prolonged assignment.

“We are tired of working there. We need a change of area. The justice we want is that, as the authorities instructed them to bring 15 men, they should bring 15 men and we should be changed because we are there for special duties,” he said.

The officer appealed to the police leadership to address their complaints, ensure compliance with the directive on personnel deployment and allow them to return closer to their families.

The allegations raise concerns about the welfare and rotation arrangements for police personnel deployed on prolonged special security operations, particularly in areas facing persistent security challenges.

SOURCE: SAHARA REPORTERS