The Nigeria Police Force says it has the intention to recruit at least 10,000 fresh officers yearly to close the gap in the shortage of police personnel across states.
Naija News reports that the revelation was made in Ilorin, Kwara State capital on Wednesday by the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman who was represented by Ede Ayuba, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 8 at the passing out of 467 constables in the state.
According to Ayuba, the newly recruited constables who have just completed their training across states would be posted to their local government areas of origin for effective community policing.
The personnel explained that the Police recruitment exercise was part of efforts to tackle the prevailing security challenges in the country.
Ayuba said: “Police staff strength as at 2016 stood at 370, 000, prompting President Muhammadu Buhari to commit his administration to recruiting 10, 000 fresh police officers every year.
“The plan is to add 280, 000 police officers to the current number to make the combined strength of the police to be at 650,000. The Nigeria Police intend to recruit 10,000 police officers every year to fill the current gap in the shortage of police personnel in the country.
“Actually, with what the Police is doing in recruitment of personnel, we are filling the gap. People are retiring almost on daily basis. The number we’re recruiting surpasses the number of personnel retiring. So, we’re bridging the gap.
“This is 2020 Batch. As they are passing out, in no distant time, the 2021 Batch would come in, while the 2022 would stand by. So, by the time we go to the field with all these numbers, we would have shored up our number to a higher level.”
The police boss charged the new recruits to see Nigerians as their employers and display a high level of professionalism in their serving areas.
“You are charged to reflect the true professionalism for which you have been trained,” Usman told the fresh police officers.
“It’s the taxes of Nigerians that are being used to pay their salaries. They should treat them cautiously and respect their personality. They should represent their parents and their families and above all, represent the Police in what they are going to be doing outside as they leave here”, Ayuba quoted IGP Usman as saying.
Naija News understands that the event also witnessed the passing out parade by the successful constables amidst ovation, while goodwill messages were presented by the Army, EFCC, traditional rulers, and religious clerics.
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