A prominent civil society organization, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has urgently called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to resolve systemic issues preventing officers from accessing their salaries through the Police Microfinance Bank.
In a statement released Monday, RULAAC's Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, detailed that personnel are enduring significant hardship due to persistent delays and restrictions on withdrawing their earnings. Despite the federal government's timely salary disbursement at month's end, many officers cannot access their funds until the second week of the following month.
The situation is compounded by the suspension of electronic banking services. Consequently, officers stationed across the country, including those on hazardous assignments, are forced to abandon their posts to visit the bank in person. This involves standing in long queues to complete paperwork, often only to leave empty-handed after hours of waiting.
RULAAC also raised serious allegations of corruption, stating that some bank staff exploit the situation by coercing officers into paying bribes to access their own lawfully earned salaries.
Nwanguma emphasized that this untenable situation demeans officers serving under already difficult conditions, severely damaging morale and exposing them to indignity.
The advocacy group appealed to the police leadership for immediate intervention to restore e-banking services, investigate and sanction any misconduct by bank officials, and establish a transparent and efficient system that prioritizes officer welfare.
The Police Microfinance Bank was established in 1993 as a welfare initiative to provide financial services to police personnel and their families. However, it has long faced criticism for operational inefficiencies and poor service delivery, problems now exacerbated by the reliance on physical transactions.
This issue highlights broader welfare concerns within the Nigeria Police Force, which analysts warn can undermine operational effectiveness and discipline if left unaddressed.
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