Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun has warned against acts to undermine merit-based postings and promotions in the Nigeria Police Force.

Mr Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during the decoration of 27 newly promoted senior officers.

He said the current police administration’s leadership was committed to standardising the promotion process in the force.

Mr Egbetokun said the current promotion exercise, like those preceding it under this administration, adhered strictly to the fundamental principles of seniority and merit.

He advised “unscrupulous” officers to desist from lobbying for special promotions through influential and external forces.

“I would like to take this opportunity to sound a note of serious warning to unscrupulous officers who are attempting to undermine our merit-based promotion process for personal gains.

“From now on, severe disciplinary action will be taken against any officer found guilty of soliciting for undeserved promotion through illicit means, masquerading as special promotion.

“This also applies to officers soliciting preferential postings,” he said.

The IGP pledged that the promotion process in the Nigerian police would continue to be transparent and fair to all officers.

He said no officer eligible for promotion would be denied their rightful advancement.

Mr Egbetokun said the current police leadership had announced the suspension of special promotions at inception to ensure a fair, equitable, and transparent promotion process.

“While we acknowledge that exceptional circumstances can warrant special promotion, we will take appropriate and expedient action when necessary.

“We will revisit the decision at the right time and make exceptions where deserved, balancing individual merit to ensure fair and equitable process,” he said.

The IGP congratulated the decorated senior officers and urged them to see their promotions as a call for more dedication to duty.

(NAN)