An inspector with the Ondo State Police Command has been transferred to Abuja after being arrested for allegedly sharing a message in a WhatsApp group regarding a planned nationwide protest by police personnel.
The protest, scheduled for July 21, 2025, seeks better working conditions for both active and retired officers.
Inspector Emoruwa Olabode, attached to the Idanre Police Station, was reportedly taken into custody on Friday, July 4, and held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Akure before being moved to Abuja on Monday.
Sources indicate that Olabode is one of the administrators of the WhatsApp group where the protest details were allegedly discussed.
This development follows the earlier arrest of two other group administrators—Otamere Ewamade (also known as "Hero") and Fasoyin Ayodeji—who were detained in Lagos about two weeks ago and later transferred to Abuja.
The arrests have sparked concerns among officers and observers, who view the move as an attempt to silence calls for police reform.
Olabode’s wife confirmed his transfer to Abuja and expressed distress over their sick child, stating that authorities had denied him access to his phone and withheld financial support for the family.
The planned protest highlights grievances over the Nigeria Police Force’s inclusion in the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which retirees say has caused financial hardship, delayed benefits, and poor welfare conditions.
Retired officers are demanding the creation of a separate Police Pension Board to manage their retirement benefits, arguing that the current system fails to address the unique challenges of police service.
The crackdown on the protest organizers has raised questions about freedom of expression within the police force and the handling of internal dissent.
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