Breaking: A’Ibom DPO, Francis Erhabor resigns over stagnation in force

… rejected N864m bribe

… A’Ibom CP, Amiengheme Andrew refutes officer’s resignation from force

A Divisional Police Officer in charge of Itam Division in Akwa Ibom State, CSP Francis Osagie Erhabor, has resigned from the Nigeria Police Force over non-promotion.

Erhabor is the Senior Police Officer who rejected N864m bribe. He received the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards as police officer of the year after coming tops in the nationwide online voting at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

His colleagues and Nigerians have described Erhabor as a police officer who has never taken bribe in whatever reason for his over 30 years in active service in the force.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with IGBERE TV on January 1, 2021, Erhabor decried that he felt cheated by the system, having been denied promotion more than three times despite all his efforts and sacrifices for the police force and the country.

“I joined this noble profession as a cadet inspector on the April 2, 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 Force 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. I served over 30 years meritoriously and stainless by God’s grace, and not honoured by the system, instead I 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, he said: “As a pipeline Commander in Edo State, I turned down N6.5m weekly; N24m monthly; N288m yearly, and a whooping sum of N864 for the three years I served as a commander.”

Asked if he regrets his actions, Erhabor stated: “I have no regrets for doing so. “If given the test again, I will repeat same feat, without thinking twice, even though some of my colleagues term me a fool.”

“I even volunteered as an instructor, to train Police Mobile Personnel at Limakara, Gwoza, Borno State for over three years.

“I discharged my duty as an instructor, in the harshest and most difficult condition, without any commendation reward, or promotion, and today only for just working within the corridors of power; or being able to grease some palms or, as claimed, being attacked because of #EndSARS; juniors will just be promoted above their superiors just like that.”

According to him, he felt hurt seeing his junior officers promoted over him, insisting nothing had been done by the Force despite the formal complaints, where he asked for the ratification of his promotion.

“I have witnessed my juniors get promoted over me repeatedly, 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 was done to remedy the situation,” he said.

‘I have wasted 30 years serving my fatherland’

Erhabor added that the system rewards mediocrity, nepotism, and all other ignoble acts and care less about those, who tread on the path of dignity and honour.

He noted: “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, instead 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,” CSP Erhabor added.

Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has refuted the purported resignation of Chief Superintendent of Police, Francis Erhabor from the Nigeria Police Force on grounds of stagnation in the force.

In a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer in Akwa Ibom State, SP Odiko MacDon, ANIPR, on Saturday, it noted that appointments and resignation of the NPF are not done on social media.

According to MacDon, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Amienghene Andrew, has not received any letter of resignation from Erhabor neither was same communicated to the Force Headquarters.

“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.

“For the avoidance of doubt, appointments and resignations of the NPF are not done on social media.

The Commissioner of Police, Amienghene Andrew, fdc, is not in receipt of any letter of resignation from the Senior Officer and has not in any way communicated same to the Force Headquarters.

“Let it be known that the publication making the rounds is a figment of the imagination of the writer,” the statement noted.

The CP, however, urged members of the public are to 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.