Transfer Taiwo Lukanu Now, TUC Tells Police Service Commission

January 12, 2015 – The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria on Monday demanded for immediate transfer of Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu of over what it described as gross misconduct and for allegedly transferring MOPOL Commander, Gabriel Selenkere over his alleged refusal to allow mobile policemen in his command to queue for Christmas largesse.

In a statement signed by President and Secretary of TUC, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, the TUC said the Superintendent of police, Selenkere had not been in the good book of the State Commissioner of Police.

“While we demand the immediate transfer of the state commissioner of police, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu for his gross misconduct, we ask that Mr. Selenkere be handsomely rewarded instead of being victimized for defending the integrity of the Nigeria police force as it could have been done in saner environment.

“We cannot ask that Mr. Selenkere be brought back because of his stance and beliefs (refusal to compromise) which attracted the wrath of politicians in the state. Rather we recommend him for a higher responsibility for that single act for threading where the commissioner so feared”, TUC said.

It noted that the TUC is not averse to giving and collection of gifts from whoever but that the worry lies in why Lakanu encourage his men to queue to collect rice in ‘full public glare’.

“What one could deduce here is that the police authority in the state is at the beck and call of the state government, compromising its neutrality and loyalty to the entire public”, the TUC said.
The TUC said what the commissioner has done calls for worry especially as elections are fast approaching.

“Could the same commissioner and his so-called conventional policemen be trusted? Could he be entrusted with elections in the state, even when politicians will stop at nothing to outwit their opponents in anyway possible? Does the police authority think the commissioner in this era of do-or-die politics will not be accused of being biased? These are questions bugging the congress!”, the TUC said.

The congress charges the security operatives leadership and their men not to be partisan in the forthcoming elections to avoid further heating up the polity.