In a recent development, members of the Anambra state command of the Nigerian police force have been hit by a wave of panic as its officers are being transferred to the Northern part of the country where dreaded terror group Boko Haram holds sway.
Reports have it that the transfer, which already has had more than 100 officers shipped to the Northern states has caused officers and their families to raise alarm.
The transfer, which is done in batches, had 61 officers transferred in the first batch and 88 in the second, with more expected to follow suit in coming weeks.
Panic has gripped policemen in Anambra State command, following ongoing massive transfer of most of the officers to the Northern part of the country, where the Boko Haram sect is involved in mindless killings.
Investigation by Vanguard showed that by yesterday about 149 officers in the command had been transferred to Sokoto, Borno, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Yobe and Adamawa states, among others.
Speaking with the Vanguard yesterday, some of the affected officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the transfer was being done in batches.
They added that about 61 officers were in the first batch, while 88 were in the second, which list was released penultimate week.
The officers described the exercise as punitive, as only senior police officers of Igbo extraction were mostly affected.
While conceding that the issue of transfer was the responsibility of the Police Service Commission, PSC, the officers insisted that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, was behind the transfer.
“It is really shocking that the IGP, who may be going on retirement next month, decided to carry out this exercise as a parting gift,” one of the police officers said.
