Kidnappings: PSC sets up committee to recruit 30,000 police officers

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said it has set up a high-powered joint Ad-hoc Committee alongside the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for the commencement of the recruitment of 30,000 new police personnel into the service.

PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, who made this known, said the Ad-hoc Committee was inaugurated following the presidential directive to bolster the numerical strength of the NPF and enhance national security.

Argungu, in a statement signed by Torty Njoku, said the primary mandate of the Joint Ad-hoc Committee is to collaborate and brainstorm on creating a seamless, transparent, and efficient recruitment process, adding that the committee will work to ensure the exercise is conducted with the highest standards of integrity and merit.

The statement said the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, who was represented by DIG (Bar) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), stated that “the collaboration is crucial for a successful exercise”. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the recruitment is fair and based on established guidelines.

DIG Lakanu is also the Chairman, Nigeria Police Force Matters Committee, PSC.

The Inspector-General of Police, who was represented by CP Edwin Eloho of the Department of Training and Development, Force Headquarters, emphasised the importance of the recruitment in strengthening the police force’s capacity to serve and protect the citizens of Nigeria. He affirmed the NPF’s full cooperation with the PSC to ensure the timely and successful achievement of this national objective.

The inauguration of this committee marks a critical step forward in the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing security challenges and improving the police-to-citizen ratio across the country.

The Police Service Commission is the Federal Executive Body empowered to appoint, promote, dismiss, and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding offices in the Nigeria Police Force, except the Inspector-General of Police.

The Nigeria Police Force is the principal law enforcement agency in Nigeria. It is designated to, amongst others, prevent and detect crime, protect lives and property, and maintain public order and safety.