Police Officers Accuse DPOs in Cross River, Akwa Ibom of Blocking Approved Transfers
Junior police officers in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states have accused some Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of allegedly blocking approved transfers, claiming that some personnel have been prevented from reporting to their new formations for as long as six months.
The officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity over fears of possible intimidation or disciplinary action, alleged that the practice is particularly prevalent in divisions within Calabar and Uyo, although they said similar complaints have emerged from other parts of the two states.
According to the personnel, some DPOs have refused to release officers who possess official transfer signals, citing manpower shortages and the absence of replacement personnel.
The officers claimed that as many as 50 personnel could be affected across various divisions, although the figure could not be independently verified.
One officer described the situation as “getting out of hand” and questioned the authority of individual DPOs to prevent personnel from taking up new postings after their transfers had been approved.
“DPOs in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states are blocking junior officers’ transfers and the Commissioners of Police are doing nothing about it. Junior officers are treated like dogs,” the officer alleged.
“How can someone work their transfer to a certain office and the DPO or officer in charge would refuse to release them to resume work in their new office? It’s getting out of hand. Are we not public servants, and is it not our right to work wherever we desire?”
‘New Policy’ Allegedly Blocking Transfers
The officers alleged that they had been told they could not leave their current divisions until replacement personnel were posted to take over their duties.
However, one source claimed that the arrangement was not a formally communicated policy of the Nigeria Police Force.
“That’s the new policy they’re practising and the authority isn’t aware of it,” the source alleged.
The officers said the problem had persisted since January 2026, with some transfer requests reportedly dating back to 2025 still unresolved.
In Cross River, the divisions mentioned by the sources include formations in Calabar, Ekori, Ogoja, Ikom and Abi.
In Akwa Ibom, the officers identified Oron, Ikot Ekpene and Eket as areas where similar complaints had allegedly emerged.
“Other parts too, but mostly in Calabar and Uyo, then Ekori, Ogoja, Ikom and Abi divisions in Cross River State, while in Akwa Ibom is Oron, Ikot Ekpene and Eket,” one source said.
Officers Claim Commands Ignored Complaints
The affected personnel said they had raised complaints with the Cross River and Akwa Ibom State Police Commands but alleged that their concerns had not produced meaningful action.
One officer said personnel had documentary evidence of their approved transfers.
“Yes, everybody is with a copy of their transfer signal to the place they were transferred to, but the DPOs in the divisions are refusing to release them to report to their new places,” the source alleged.
According to the officers, the transfer signals have not necessarily been cancelled or withdrawn, meaning personnel could still report to their new formations if they were released by their current DPOs.
“It is not withdrawn. Officers can report at any time to their new location if the DPO releases them,” one source said.
The officers alleged that some DPOs were prioritising manpower requirements within their divisions over the personal circumstances that prompted personnel to seek transfers.
“The main thing is that their DPO doesn’t want to know what motivated the person to work his transfer,” the source alleged.
Transportation, Health and Family Issues Cited
Some of the affected officers said they sought transfers because of transportation challenges, health concerns and other personal circumstances.
One officer was reportedly transferred to a nearby police station because of difficulties commuting to the existing place of duty but, according to colleagues, remained at the original station six months after the transfer was approved.
“We might have pressing issues. Like one of the affected officers, the officer is having transportation issues; that was why the officer worked their transfer to a nearby police station, but the officer has not been released for six months now,” an officer alleged.
The sources also said some personnel dealing with health challenges had requested postings closer to their homes or medical support networks.
“Police don’t joke with the welfare of personnel, especially those on sick leave or having challenges with health,” one source said.
“So the personnel have to look for a nearby police station that will relieve him or her of the stress of health risk and settle down.”
The officers argued that prolonged delays in implementing approved transfers could worsen existing welfare problems, particularly for personnel seeking to move closer to their families or healthcare providers.
‘Some Officers Are Threatening to Resign’
The prolonged delays have reportedly caused frustration among some junior personnel, with the officers claiming that some affected individuals have threatened to resign from the Nigeria Police Force.
The sources estimated that approximately 50 personnel could be affected across the two states, although that figure could not be independently confirmed.
They also pointed to an earlier case involving a police corporal whose inter-state transfer was allegedly delayed despite approval from the Inspector-General of Police.
In September 2026, a case involving a female police corporal serving in Ebonyi State reportedly attracted public attention after her husband threatened separation amid an alleged delay by the state command in releasing her for an approved transfer to Ogun State on compassionate grounds.
The officers said the corporal was eventually released following publicity surrounding the matter.
They expressed hope that renewed attention to their own complaints could similarly prompt the relevant authorities to review outstanding transfers.
Officers Question Replacement Requirement
The personnel also questioned whether there is an official requirement that a replacement must arrive before an officer with an approved transfer can leave a division.
They argued that if such a requirement is not formally established, allowing DPOs to invoke manpower shortages indefinitely could effectively give individual divisional commanders the power to frustrate approved transfers.
The officers called on the Nigeria Police Force to clarify the rules governing the release of personnel with approved transfer signals and establish a transparent mechanism for challenging decisions by DPOs.
They also urged the Commissioners of Police in Cross River and Akwa Ibom, as well as senior police authorities, to investigate the allegations and address pending cases.
The officers stressed that they understood legitimate manpower concerns but argued that staffing challenges should not be used indefinitely to prevent approved transfers, particularly where welfare, medical or family considerations are involved.
Police Respond
In response to the allegations, the Cross River State Police Command advised any affected officer who spoke anonymously to approach its administration office with the relevant transfer documents.
The command’s spokesperson, ASP Sunday Eitokpah Akata, said: “Tell any of the officers who spoke based on anonymity to reach out to the command’s Admin Officer for redress with their respective signals of transfer.”
The spokesperson for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, DSP Timfon John, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of filing.
The allegations therefore remain disputed, with the affected officers calling for intervention while the Cross River Command has directed personnel with complaints to use the established administrative channel.
At the centre of the dispute is whether manpower shortages can justify prolonged delays in implementing officially approved transfers, and whether affected junior officers have an effective avenue for challenging such decisions.
