By Emma Nnadozie, Crime Editor and Evelyn Usman

From the East to West, North to South, regardless of continued threats by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, Police formations went agog with jubilation soon after the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, released lists of those elevated to wear new ranks in the force.

Unprecedented  cries of joy and unsurpassable jubilation rented the air in all the formations as the beneficiaries scrambled to be decorated by their superiors while encomiums were profusely poured on their helmsman, Mohammed Abubakar for that singular courage in carrying out the massive promotion.

In Lagos,superior officers at the state command, Special Anti-Robbery squad, SARS, Adeniji-Adele, Force Criminal Investigations Annex, Alagbon etc tried to outdo each other while decorating their officers and men.

At the Federal SARS, Adeniji-Adele, The Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge, Chris Ezike not only mapped out the day as a special one but turned the event into a carnival of sort as all the operatives came out resplendent in their well-ironed and starched uniforms, ready to mark the occasion.  Shouts of MD rented the air as each of the beneficiaries displayed acrobatic dance steps that will shame the popular Atilogwu dancers from the East.

Perhaps, one of the most interesting highlights of the occasion was the happiness exuded by the only Sergeant that was promoted to the rank of Inspector who jumped up severally after completing the normal salutations and went into a frenzy with adorable dance steps and the accompanying lullaby in his native tongue.

The man in-charge of the section, DCP Ezike did not mince words in pouring encomiums on the Inspector-General of Police whom he said has carried out a ‘tremendously praiseworthy assignment’ by wiping away the tears of members of the force who have suffered for many years without succor.

The atmosphere was same at the Lagos State Police Command Officer’s mess , as relatives of the beneficiaries were present to share in the  moment of joy.

A total of 577 policemen were promoted in the command. A breakdown of the figure showed that 16 Superintendents of Police  were decorated with the new rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP); 42 Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP) were promoted to   Superintendents; 102 Assistant Superintendents of Police, ASP, were decorated with the new DSP rank, while 417 Inspectors were decorated with the new rank of ASP.

In Ondo state command, 787 policemen were promoted ,while 387 were decorated with their new ranks in Jigawa state command. 174 policemen benefited from the gesture in Kaduna state command; Ebonyi had 273 policemen decorated with their new ranks and Rivers state command 58, among other commands.

The promotion which was noted as the highest figure so far, received accolades from policemen who benefited from it. Some of those who were promoted were discovered to have almost been forgotten. Thus, it came to them as the fulfillment of a dream.

For instance , one of the Inspectors that was promoted to ASP in Lagos state command, ( names withheld) said he had been on his former rank for close to thirteen years before being promoted.  According to the newly promoted ASP who was full of smile, “ I can’t believe this is happening to me. I have just three years to serve. I thought all was finished for me because I did not know anybody or have a godfather who could project my case”.

The mass promotion also received commendations from members of the public.

A security expert, Ogbefu Ehimare said the promotion would, to a large extent, boost the morale of the beneficiaries, stressing on the need for such to be done regularly to deserving policemen.

Another lawyer , Mr Festus Jegbefu, however, pointed out that some policemen were being affected by the quota system. “ For instance, those from the North benefitted from such gesture than those from the West and middle belt. There is therefore, the need to look into this and promote policemen accordingly.”

The newly promoted policemen were, however, charged by their respective Commissioners of Police to justify their promotion by putting more efforts and dedication in their job and be loyal to the Force.