Ondo Police Command Dismisses Allegations of N39,000 Fee for Lagos LG Poll Deployment

The Ondo State Police Command has vehemently denied allegations that it collected a sum of N39,000 from officers for their deployment to the upcoming Local Government elections in Lagos State. The denial comes amidst preparations for the July 12, 2025, Lagos LG polls, for which police personnel from various commands, including Ondo, are expected to provide security.

Speaking on the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Ondo State Command, whose name was not immediately disclosed, dismissed the claims as unfounded and a smear campaign against the Force. The PPRO reiterated that police deployment for election duties, especially inter-state deployments, is governed by strict official protocols and is not subject to any illicit financial demands from officers.

“It is utterly false and misleading to suggest that our command is collecting money from officers for election duties,” the PPRO stated. “The Nigerian Police Force operates on established guidelines for deployment and allowances, and any deviation or unauthorized collection of funds would be thoroughly investigated and penalized.”

While the source of the specific allegation of N39,000 per officer remains unclear, concerns over the welfare and fair treatment of police personnel during election assignments are not new. Historically, the Nigerian Police Force has faced persistent scrutiny over allegations of financial impropriety, including issues related to emoluments, allowances, and the broader management of operational funds. These past concerns often fuel public speculation when fresh allegations surface.

The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has scheduled the local government elections for Saturday, July 12, 2025, across all 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas. Security arrangements, including restriction of vehicular movement, have been announced by the Lagos State Police Command to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

The Ondo State Police Command urged the public to disregard the mischievous claims, assuring that its personnel deployed to Lagos would perform their duties professionally and impartially, without any financial encumbrances to their service. The Command also encouraged anyone with credible evidence of such illicit collection to come forward with information to enable a full investigation.