By Balarabe Oshiafi
To curb illegal financial transactions within police formations, the Nigerian Police is deploying stringent measures to ban use of Point of Sale (POS) and other electronic mobile money transactions devices ,the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police, Kayode Egbetokun has warned adding that violation will attract sanctions on Commands, Formations’ leadership.
In a news release signed by force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi and made available to ExpressDay on Monday, the police said,” the Nigeria Police Force, following public outcry on alleged illegal and illicit transactions through point-of-sale (POS) machine operators and connivance with certain police operatives, hereby reiterates the ban on the utilization POS machines and other electronic mobile money transaction devices within police stations and other police facilities nationwide.
“The ban is aimed at preserving the integrity and security of police operations, subjugate corrupt practices, as well as clear the Commands/Formations of possible criminal intrusion under such guise, and maintain discipline within the Force.”
Continuing, Adejobi averred that despite previous directives, it has come to the attention of the Force leadership that “some Commands and Formations continue to flout this regulation. As such, the IGP warns that any violation of this ban will attract severe sanctions on the leadership of the affected Commands and Formations. The IGP notes that the use of electronic payment devices within police facilities poses significant risks, including the potential compromise of sensitive information, financial irregularities, and the facilitation of illicit activities, therefore, strict adherence to this directive is non-negotiable”.
The Police warned that “the IGP urges all officers and personnel to comply with this directive without exception, and warns that any police officer or POS operator found contravening this order, or conniving to conduct illicit financial transactions will face appropriate disciplinary and criminal action in accordance with the extant laws and regulations, and the Command/Formation leadership will equally be held responsible”.
