Women’s Rights Group Decries Sowore’s Attack on Female Cops

IGP Egbetokun

By KEMI KAYODE

Women’s advocacy group, HerRights Watch, has condemned what it described as “a calculated, misogynistic and false campaign” by SaharaReporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore, to demonise women in the Nigeria Police Force, especially those serving in the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The group described the article recently published by SaharaReporters, which sought to scandalise female officers, especially ACP Bukola Kuti and DSP David Victoria, as “a shameless, sexist smear built on malicious gossip rather than credible journalism.”

The Convener of HerRights Watch, Onyinye Eze, in a strongly worded statement, expressed dismay at the choice of Sowore to turn what is essentially an institutional issue of police promotions, which is even overwhelmingly skewed towards male officers, into a personal attack on a few women who have distinguished themselves in service just because he seeks to impress his paymasters who have enlisted him to consistently attack the IGP.

“Is Sowore suggesting that women have no right to serve in sensitive positions or be recognized for their exceptional work and contributions to society? Is he implying that a woman’s competence and progress can only come through illicit means? That line of thinking is not only deeply offensive but also regressive and dangerous,” Eze said.

“The criteria for accelerated promotion are well-established, for instance any officer who wins Police Service Merit Award on two occasions automatically qualifies. The lady in question followed the same process because she merrited it. Furthermore, contrary to the misleading claims in the article, she has been in service for well over 10 years. Can anyone reasonably claim that the same IGP has been responsible for all her promotions over the years when she has only worked with him for less two years?