Police: Wike’s CSO removed for ‘apparent partisanship’

The police on Wednesday said Promise Nwosu, chief security officer (CSO) of Nyesom Wike, the Rivers state governor, was redeployed because of his “apparent partisanship”.

Wike had cried out over the withdrawal of his CSO, alleging that there was a conspiracy to take him out.

But in a statement, Don Awunah, police spokesman, said the officer was redeployed because he grossly flouted the rules of professional by joining a political party in a protest.

He said the inspector-general of police (IGP) had set up a panel to discipline Nwosu.

“The Nigeria police force have observed the innuendos, distortion of facts and wild allegations peddled in the mass media following the redeployment of the chief security officer (CSO) to the governor of Rivers state, DSP Promise Nwosu, as a result of gross professional misconduct,” he said.

“It will be recalled that on 17th November, 2016 during peaceful demonstrations of an opposition party in the state, All Progressive Congress (APC), the chief security officer to the governor, DSP Promise Nwosu was found among the protesting party faithful in a manner prejudicial to discipline and displaying conduct unexpected of an officer of his calibre and office.

“In the course of monitoring the public protest, an assistant commissioner of police in charge of operations in Rivers state observed the presence of the CSO among the protesting partisan crowd as illegal, unlawful and outside prescribed schedule of the duties of a CSO.

“The active presence of the CSO to the governor in a partisan crowd of an opposition party to the governor in a clandestine and suspicious manner was considered mischievous and detrimental to the security of the state and public order and also contrary to his oath of office which constitute an offence against discipline.”

Awunah alleged the CSO to the governor demonstrated brazen indiscipline and showed disrespect to the senior officer when he was challenged over his action.

“Accordingly, the CSO was officially queried for discreditable conduct, insubordination, engaging in partisan political activities, illegal duty and act unbecoming of a public officer,” he said.

“As a result of such gross misconduct and apparent partisanship, the IGP ordered the redeployment of the CSO pending further disciplinary action. To this end, the IGP has also constituted an investigative inquiry into the officer’s open engagement in political activities, disrespect to senior officers and unethical practices.

“It is absolutely imperative the police and police officers are insulated from partisan politics. The IGP therefore warns all police officers in any capacity to desist from acts that portray the force in a bad light and question the integrity of the personnel.

“In addition, any police officer, especially CSOs, Aides-de-Camp (ADCs), and orderlies attached to political officer holders or senior government officials who engages in activities outside the official schedule will be removed and made to face severe disciplinary action.

“It instructive to maintain that the redeployment of the CSO to Governor Wike must not be misconstrued or misinterpreted as it is widely reported in the media. The police force must not be drawn to direct partisan politics and acts that are inimical to peace and public order.”

He added that Wike was at liberty to select any officer of his choice from the strength of the command to serve as his CSO,  but “under no circumstance should any officer abandon the security of his principal and legitimate duties to engage in direct partisan politics or conversely should any political office holder use police officers attached to them for political machinations”.