The purported resignation of a senior police officer from Akwa Ibom State Police Command appears to be steeped in controversy as both parties sing different tunes.
CSP Francis Osagie Erhabor, the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division, Itam in Akwa Ibom is reported by some online newspapers (excluding Straightnews) to have resigned from his job.
Erhabor is claimed to have rejected a whopping N864 million bribe offered by oil vandals.
As such, he was honoured as Police Officer Of The Year at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, on December 10, 2020 during the 2020 IgbereTV Leadership Excellence Awards after coming tops in the nationwide online voting.
While Osagie spoke to the press lamenting that he has been cheated by the system, the state Police Command says appointments or resignations in Nigeria Police Force are not done on the social media.
SP Odiko MacDon, the state Police Public Relations Officer, wrote “The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been drawn to a write up making the rounds, that the Divisional Police Officer ( DPO ), of ‘D’ Division, Itam, CSP FRANCIS OSAGE ERHABOR has resigned from the Nigeria Police Force on the grounds of lack of promotion.”
In a press entitled CSP FRANCIS OSAGE ERHABOR HAS NOT RESIGN ED FROM THE NPF, MacDon affirmed that “For the avoidance of doubt, appointments and resignations of the NPF are not done on social media.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP AMIENGHENE ANDREW, fdc, is not in receipt of any letter of resignation from the Senior Officer and has not in anyway communicated same to the Force Headquarters.”
He dismissed “Let it be known, that the publication making the rounds is a figment of the imagination of the writer.
“Hence, members of the public are to totally disregard the said publication as the Senior Officer is still a bonafide member of the NPF and still the DPO of ITAM DIVISIONAL POLICE HEADQUARTERS,” he advised.
On the contrary, Erhabor speaking an exclusive interview with IGBERE TV on January 1, 2021, lamented that he felt cheated by the system, having been denied promotion more than thrice despite all his efforts and sacrifices for the police force and the country.
His words: “I joined this noble profession as a cadet inspector on the 2nd of April, 1990. I was 17 years plus at the time. I was told by cerebral and seasoned police officers like AIG Albasu, AIG Akagbosun, AIG Iyamabo, and DIG Ugowe all retired, that the force needed folks like me- youths who were patriotic and passionate.
“I loved and believed in this project called Nigeria, and the profession, the Nigeria Police was a great platform to serve my fatherland. I sincerely believed in this job, loved this job and sacrificed so much for this job.
“Looking back, all I see is nobody cares, being cheated out of promotion not once, twice or thrice, served over 30 years meritoriously and stainless by God’s grace, and I am not honoured by the system. Instead, I have only enjoyed promotion only five times. I thank God for His grace that insulated me for the past 30 years.”
On how he rejected N864m bribe, CSP Erhabor said, “As a pipeline Commander in Edo state, I turned down N6.5 million weekly; N24 million monthly; N288 million yearly, and a whooping sum of N864 million for three years I served as a commander.”
Asked if he regrets his actions, he said, “I have no regrets for doing this. If given the test again, I will repeat same feat, without thinking twice, even though some of my colleagues term me a fool,” CSP Erhabor added.
“I have witnessed my juniors get promoted over me over and over again, and it hurts deeply. I filed a complaint, asked for ratification of my promotion date, and was even investigated, with the outcome verified in my favour, yet nothing has been done to remedy the situation.”
“I have wasted 30 years serving my fatherland.
“This profession I once called a noble one, doesn’t care about those of us who tread the path of honour and dignity. I once had a dream about the Nigeria Police Force, becoming the people’s force; the country’s pride. So sad, I no longer believe in the system as a noble one, but one with mediocrity, nepotism, and all other ignoble acts are given higher preference.
“I am sorry I let all my fans down. I am deeply sorry for not finishing where you all expected me to finish. Thanks for your strong and relentless faith in me. I remain forever grateful to you all,” he added.
