Lagos — THE Police, yesterday, laid off 10,672 of its men and officers across the country for incompetence and professional misconduct. The Presidency had directed the Inspector-General of Police to reduce its strength by 25,000. The IG, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, was, however, said to have pleaded that 25,000 was too much as laying off that number would affect security for the forthcoming general elections.

Vanguard was reliably informed that of the number, officers from the rank of Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP) to Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) accounted for 287 while 10,385 were of the rank and file. About 300 officers were affected in Lagos State alone.

Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Haz Iwendi, Commissioner of Police, in a chat with Vanguard yesterday, described the exercise as retirement and not dismissal. According to him, the retirement followed visible unethical behaviour of the men and officers affected and dwindling productivity.

"What happened is that we retired about 10,385 rank and file and 287 officers of the rank of ASP to DCP across the country. The retirement is on account of visible ill heath, dwindling productivity, physical disability and general offences," he said.

President Olusegun Obasanjo had accused the Police of incompetence and consequently, an operation show your certificate in the Force was carried out with those having been queried for dereliction of duties, professional misconduct and certificate forgery and general incompetence recommended for retirement.