An outstanding police officer has expressed regret after being denied promotion many times in the police force. According to our reliable source, CSP Francis Osagie Erhabor, a renowned policeman and divisional police officer (DPO) in charge of ‘D’ division Itam in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom state, who is acclaimed to have never taken a bribe since over 30 years in active service has decided to resign from his profession after he was denied promotion for over 30 years.
CSP Francis Osagie, who made headlines after rejecting a whopping sum of N864 million bribe was on December 10, 2020, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Abuja, during the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards named ‘Police officer of the year’ after coming tops in the nationwide online voting.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Igbere TV on New Year day, been 1st January 2021, the police officer lamented that he feels cheated by the system, having been denied promotion more than three times despite all his efforts and sacrifices for the police force and the country.
According to his words; “I joined this noble profession as a cadet inspector on 2nd April, 1990. I was just 17 years old at that time. I was told by seasoned Police officers like AIG Albasu, AIG Akagbosun, AIG Iyamabo, and DIG Ugowe all retired, that the force needed folks like me. Youths who were patriotic and passionate about the police force.
“I loved and believed in this project called Nigeria, and the profession, the Nigeria Police was a great platform to serve my fatherland. I sincerely believed in this job, loved this job and sacrificed so much for this job.
“Looking back, all I see is “nobody cares”. Being cheated out of promotion not once, twice or thrice, but uncountable number of times. I have served as a police officer for over thirty years and not honored by the system, instead I have only enjoyed promotion only 5 times since my career. I thank God for his grace that protected me for the past 30yrs.”
On how he rejected N864m bribe, CSP Francis Osagie said, “As a pipeline Commander in Edo state, I turned down N6.5m weekly; N24m monthly; N288m yearly, and a whooping sum of N864m for the 3 years I served as a commander.”
Asked if he regrets his actions, he said, “I have no regrets for doing this.” “If given the test again, I will repeat same feat, without thinking twice, even though some of my colleagues term me a fool,” CSP Francis Osagie added. 
“I even volunteered as an instructor, to train Police Mobile Personnel at Limakara, Gwoza, Borno State for over 3 years. Discharged my duty as an instructor in the most harshest and difficult condition without any commendation reward, or promotion. Juniors will just be promoted above their superiors just like that.”
He said he feel hurt seeing his junior police officers promoted over him, insisting nothing had been done by the Police Force despite the formal complaints where he asked for the ratification of his promotion.
According to his words; “I have witnessed my juniors get promoted over me over and over again, and it hurts me deeply. I filed a complaint, asked for ratification of my promotion date, and was even investigated, with the outcome verified in my favour, yet nothing has been done to remedy the situation. I have wasted 30 years serving my fatherland.” 
CSP Francis Erhabor said he feels he has wasted 30 years of his precious time serving his fatherland in a police profession he once believed to be a noble one. According to Erhabor, rather the system rewards mediocrity, nepotism and all other ignoble acts and care less about those who tread on the path of dignity and honor.
According to his words; “This profession I once called a noble one, doesn’t care about those of us who tread the path of honor and dignity. I once had a dream about the Nigeria Police Force, becoming the people’s force and the country’s pride. So sad, I no longer believe in the system as a noble one, rather I see the police force as a system were mediocrity, nepotism, and all other ignoble acts are given higher preference.
“I am sorry I let all my fans down. I am deeply sorry for not finishing where you all expected me to finish. Thank you all for your strong and relentless faith in me. I remain forever grateful to you all, but I am sorry to announce to the general public that I will be resigning from the police force to face other career that will benefit me and my family” CSP Erhabor added.
