THE Inspector-Gen eral of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero has reportedly ordered for an immediate head count for all the rank and file in the Nigeria Police following their insistence to go on a nationwide strike from Tuesday ahead of Saturday�s elections.
Sources at the Force Headquarters in Abuja told the Saturday Tribune in confidence that a signal had been dispatched to all police formations in all states of the federation and Abuja that the head count the should commence from today till further notice at t he various divisions and stations.
It was gathered that any state or division where the rank and file go or attempt to embark on the planned industrial action, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) would be severely dealt with in accordance with police regulations and would be treated as a saboteur.
�The IGP has sent signals to all police formations nationwide over measures to be taken to ensure that all the rank and file and the officers as well are at their duty posts, before, during and after the general elections,� a source said.
In line with the directive, the ST learnt that all the rank and file would report for duty today for what was described as �lecture between 8.00 and 10.00 a.m.
The ST learnt in Abuja that all the rank and file have been directed to report for �lecture� today during which they would be further brief about the IG�s message on pressing national issues.
However, sources close to the rank and file told ST that there was no going back on the planned strike despite all the moves being made by the police high command to avert the action, saying �actions are on, mobilization is going on nationwide�.
Some of the rank and file who spoke with ST in confidence, over the impending strike, said that the only way to avert the action was for the IG to swing into action and ensure the payment of the newly approved salary structure for the police with arrears from January this year.
In addition, the IG should also take concrete steps to improve their welfare and conditions of service which were their main reasons for going on strike.
The rank and file also dismissed the speculation making the round at the Force Headquarters that they were being sponsored by some top politicians and some aggrieved senior police officers against the government and the out-going IGP.
Though, efforts to speak with the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) Mr. Haz Iwendi, a Commissioner of Police, over the latest development proved abortive, but he had earlier told our correspondent that there was no truth in the rumoured strike.
Mr. Iwendi said that the police high command under Mr. Ehindero had not been found wanting in the area of welfare of the police since he assumed duty, explaining that the efforts were being made to ensure the payment of the new salary structure.
However, another senior police officer told ST in confidence that the Presidency was not comfortable with the emerging scenario and was already looking into the ways to assist the police to avert the strike.