The Nigerian Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has on Saturday revealed that at least 40,000 policemen between the rank of Constable and Inspector would be promoted in the next two months.
This was made known during his private visit to Lagos.
Arase, disclosed that the rank and file were the officers doing the major jobs, including arrests, investigations and other special duties.
He noted that these officers were closer to the people than senior officers, stressing that due attention should be given to them by mitigating their burdens.
The IGP said as part of effort to encourage these officers, the police authorities had embarked on housing projects across the six geo-political zones to build two-bedroom flats valued at about N4 million each in collaboration with mortgage institutions.
“There have been a backlog of promotions between the constable and inspector cadre, involving about 36,000 of them. Two groups are already undergoing their promotional courses.
“Within the next two months, about 40,000 policemen between the rank of constable and inspector will undertake promotion exercises, and be moved up to the next rank.
“If we are able to solve the problem of the rank and file in the police, half of the issues we are dealing with, which is corruption would be resolved. Corruption is born out of insecurity,’’ he said.
Arase assured that those who would participate in the promotion exercises would be given allowances for feeding, transport and others.