Police Widows Protest in Abuja, Allege Sexual Harassment and Neglect by Senior Officers

By Diafa Doubra,

Tension erupted in Abuja on Thursday as a group of police widows staged a peaceful protest, accusing senior officers of harassment, intimidation, and neglect. The women, dressed in black attire, marched to the Force Headquarters demanding justice and improved welfare. They alleged that some officers had subjected them to sexual harassment while processing the entitlements of their late husbands.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Exploiting Police Widows” and “We Deserve Justice and Respect,” the widows decried the endless bureaucracy and corruption that have delayed their benefits for years. Some also accused officers of demanding sexual favors before granting access to their files or processing payments.

Speaking to reporters, the spokesperson for the widows, Mrs. Rose Emmanuel, lamented that many of them have been left to fend for their children alone, despite their husbands’ years of service to the nation. She appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to intervene urgently.

In response, a senior police official promised that the authorities would look into the allegations and ensure that due process is followed. He assured the widows that no officer found guilty of misconduct would go unpunished.