There are strong indications that a presidential approval may have been given for the recruitment of an additional 6,000 police personnel.
Investigation by the source revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari gave the approval in his determination to boost the manpower needs of the Police.
There had been consistent clamour for massive recruitment of personnel as the current number of about 370,000 to a population of 170 million people is considered grossly inadequate.
Buhari had given a similar directive in 2015, for the recruitment of 10,000 officers and personnel, who have since completed compulsory trainings at the various colleges and academies. Prior to the 2015 approval, there seemed to be a silent embargo on recruitment into the Force.
However, highly placed sources, who spoke in confidence with New Telegraph, said consequent upon the approval, the Police Service Commission (PSC), which is statutorily responsible for recruitment, training, discipline and dismissal, had met with a high-powered team from the Force Headquarters.
According to one of the sources, the meeting, which held last week at PSC’s headquarters in Abuja, was meant to finetune the process leading to the recruitment.
“I can confirm to you that Mr. President, in his avowed commitment to boost the manpower needs of the Police, has graciously approved the recruitment of an estimated 6,000 police personnel.
“Let me further inform you that the approval is for the recruitment of low-cadre policemen and women, so you don’t miss the point.
“In fact, the Commission, which is solely em- powered to conduct recruitment exercises, has graciously met with a team from the Force Headquarters.
“The meeting was in the Commission’s usual disposition of keeping the Force abreast of processes and strategies, which have never failed the test of transparency, credibility, and general acceptability,” the source said.
The Police had appealed for the yearly recruitment of 31,000 personnel for five years, with a view to bridging the manpower gap. Efforts to reach the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani for comment was not successful
Comments
