by Alexander O. Onukwue

Six policemen have been dismissed from service from the Abia State command of the Nigeria Police Force after alleged complicity in a cell break in the anti-kidnapping section of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Umuahia.

The jail break, aided by the officers, enabled some suspects to break free, three of whom have been re-arrested. Two AK-47 rifles “kept outside the Armoury for quick response to emergencies in order to facilitate their escape” were said to have been stolen from the CID.

According to the Commissioner of Police for the state, Mr Adeleye Oyebade, “I’m pained because these same officers have been responsible for up 95 percent of our success story in this command, but we cannot compromise any act that will bring damage to the image of the force”.

So why would hardworking policemen choose to become involved in aiding the escape of detained persons who intend to run away with guns?

There are no details, and the Police Commissioner has simply said they have been discharged from duty, with further prosecution to come. Perhaps more details will come to the fore during the proceedings.

For now, one thing that could make sense is that the officers may have hoped to profit from the sales of the arms from the station were the suspects able to discretely divert them from the station. That would point again to the conversations about the need to reform the welfare of police officers so as to keep them away from seeking alternative – and often dubious – sources to augment their incomes.