Police defend withdrawal of Wike’s CSO

The Nigeria Police has explained the reason behind the redeployment of DSP Promise Nwosu, the Chief Security Officer to Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, saying it was due to his  gross professional misconduct.

Force headquarters said it observed the innuendos, distortion of facts and wild allegations peddled in the mass media following the redeployment of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the Governor of Rivers state, DSP Nwosu.

The Police, in a statement signed by  DCP Don N. Awunah, recalled that on November 17, 2016 during peaceful demonstrations of an opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Chief Security Officer to the governor, DSP Nwosu, was found among the protesting party faithful in a manner prejudicial to discipline and displaying conduct unexpected of an officer of his calibre and office.

It said that in the course of monitoring the public protest, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in Rivers state, observed the presence of the CSO among the protesting partisan crowd, describing it as illegal, unlawful and outside prescribed schedule of the duties of a CSO.

“The active presence of the CSO to the governor in a partisan crowd of an opposition party to the governor in a clandestine and suspicious manner was considered mischievous and detrimental to the security of the state and public order and also contrary to his oath of office which constitute an offence against discipline.

“When challenged by a superior officer demonstrated brazen indiscipline, the CSO showed disrespect to the senior officer, exhibiting conduct that violates all known norms of the force.

“Accordingly, the CSO was officially queried for discreditable conduct, insubordination, engaging in partisan political activities, illegal duty and act unbecoming of a public officer”, the police headquarters explained.

As a result of such gross misconduct and apparent partisanship, the statement noted, the IGP ordered the redeployment of the CSO pending further disciplinary action. The IGP has also constituted an investigative inquiry into the officer’s alleged open engagement in political activities, disrespect to senior officers and unethical practices.

The police said that it was absolutely imperative that its officers and men are insulated from partisan politics. The IGP therefore, warned all police officers in any capacity to desist from acts that portray the force in a bad light and question the integrity of the personnel.

In addition, that statement said, any police officer, especially CSOs, Aides-de-Camp (ADCs), and orderlies attached to political officer holders or senior government officials who engage in activities outside the official schedule, would be removed and made to face severe disciplinary action.

The police therefore, stressed that it was instructive to maintain that “the redeployment of the CSO to Governor Wike must not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as it is widely reported in the media. The police force must not be drawn to direct partisan politics and acts that are inimical to peace and public order.”

It also explained that the governor, as Chief Security Officer of the state, is at liberty to select any officer of his choice from the strength of the command to serve as his CSO but under no circumstance should any officer abandon the security of his principal and legitimate duties to engage in direct partisan politics or conversely should any political office holder use police officers attached to them for political machinations.