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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Police Affairs to probe the lingering dispute between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police ( IGP), over the recruitment of constables into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The committee is expected to investigate the remote cause of the lingering dispute, with the aim of resolving the dispute, so that the recruitment process can continue. The committee is expected to report back to the House within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Green chamber also urged the Federal Government to increase the number of personnel to be recruited into the police force, as well as ensure that the recruitment process conforms to the federal character principles. This followed the adoption of a motion by Mitema Obordo on the impasse between the PSC and IGP, which had stalled the recruitment process.
Obordo, in his motion, informed the House that the lingering dispute between the PSC and IGP had stalled the recruitment process into the police force for about 10 months. He said the development has exacerbated “the existing shortage of police personnel, undermining the police’s capacity to effectively respond to security threats.
“This shortage of police personnel has reduced police presence in communities, thereby leading to a surge in crime rates as criminals take advantage of the situation, especially in Bayelsa State, compromised public safety, eroded trust in the police force and the government’s ability to ensure security. The dispute between the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police, which has resulted in a halt in the police recruitment and the attendant capacity shortage and weakness of the Nigerian police, may have a far-reaching national security implications, potentially emboldening terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.”
He pointed out that it was imperative to strengthen the police force by “setting a ratio of one police officer to 200 citizens, or adopt the United Nations recommendation of a ratio of one police officer to 450 citizens to address the escalating security challenges facing our nation.”
Consequently, the lawmaker noted that “the resolution of the lingering dispute between the police service commission and the Inspector-General of Police, and the recruitment of additional police officers are crucial to bolstering Nigeria’s security and ensuring the safety of citizens.”
