The Police Service Commission (PSC)
AHEAD of the scheduled commencement of recruitment of 50,000 police Constables , the Police Service Commission has assured that candidates with verified histories of drug addiction and questionable character will not find their way into the Nigerian Police Force .
The commission also announced that a total 616,873 candidates across the country applied for the recruitment exercise out of which 542,592 male applicants outnumbered female’s 114,640.
Briefing journalists on Wednesday in Abuja , the chairman of the Police Service Commission’s committee on Police Matters , DIG Taiwo Lakanu Rtd said out of the total applications and screening 434,604 qualified for further screening and 60,673 invalid applicants.
He during the final state by state analysis , Adamawa state came top with 38,989 applicants followed by Benue state with 34,511; Borno state 24,009, while Ebonyi had the least number of applicants recording 1,667; Anambra 1739, Bayelsa 2,430 while Lagos had 2,448.
The chairman who said successful candidates will proceed to a Computer based examination ,medical and comprehensive drug integrity tests to be conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency added that the low turn out from some states speaks to there perculiar sentiments as some states prefers to join the force as graduates .
According to him,” let me state this without ambiguity ,drug users and persons of questionable character will not find their way into the Nigerian Police Force .
“Our partnership with the NDLEA ensures that only candidates of sound health ,good character and proven integrity will be admitted. Successful candidates will there after be posted to designated police colleges for active police service .
” The credibility of the Nigerian Police begins at the recruitment stage . You cannot build a professional and world class police institution on compromised entry standards . This is why this commission has adopted a painstakingly thorough and zero tolerance approach to malpractice “.
He pointed out that the commission has also introduced a Whistle – blowing policy on the recruitment to enable Nigerians report any suspected irregularities in the process .
Describing the exercise as most inclusive in terms of gender considerations , he maintained that the federal character commission was actively involved to ensure equity .
“The police service Commission understands the gravity of the responsibility entrusted to it . We do not take this duty lightly . We are committed to delivering a recruitment process that is fair ,transparent and merit- based,a process that will ultimately give Nigeria the Police Force it truly deserves .”