The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Aishatu Baju, who is the most senior female officer in the Force, confirmed this development while on a National Television Programme this morning.
Baju noted that the Force has removed all discriminatory sections of the Police Act, including Section 127, which was used to justify the dismissal of pregnant unmarried officers, as a result of the ongoing police reforms.
The Inspector General of Police has also introduced the Nigeria Police Gender Policy to ensure full inclusivity and equal opportunities for all officers, an issue gained prominence in 2021 when a police corporal, Omolola Olajide, was dismissed from the Force in Ekiti State after she became pregnant.
The move sparked public outrage, prompting the Nigerian Bar Association to challenge the regulation in court.
Although the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the dismissal, ruling that officers were aware of the regulation before joining the Force, the NBA pursued the case to the Court of Appeal in Lagos.
In May 2024, the appellate court nullified Sections 126 and 127 of the Nigeria Police Act, effectively putting an end to the policy.
With the latest reforms, Baju reaffirmed that the Force is committed to eliminating gender-based discrimination and fostering a more inclusive institution.