The Minister of Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi, says the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new salary structure for police officers.

Mr Dingyadi told reporters that the approval was given at Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

According to him, a major highlight of the increase is the provision of a 20 per cent peculiar allowance for the police.

“I am particularly very happy today to inform Nigerians that the Federal Executive Council has approved the review and upgrading of the take-home pay of police personnel in this country.

“You recall that in October 2020 this country was rocked with EndSARS protests and the president addressed the nation appealing for calm. He promised that the salary of the police will be reviewed in recognition of the services they have been rendering to the country – maintaining peace and tranquillity.

“FEC has today approved a proposal for the review of their salaries, which will take effect from January 2022,” the minister stated.

Mr Dingyadi also revealed that the Council approved N1.1 billion for the payment of outstanding uninsured benefits of the police.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who fielded questions on the salary increase, revealed that the increment was not captured in the 2022 budget.

She, however, stated that after computations and approval, a supplementary budget would be sent to the National Assembly to that effect, to pave the way for the payment of arrears and full implementation of the new salary.