Reps Intervene In PSC-IGP Dispute Over Police Recruitment Process

Reps Intervene In PSC-IGP Dispute Over Police Recruitment Process

The House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing conflict between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regarding recruitment into the police force…….. CONTINUE READING

This development came after a motion of urgent public importance was adopted during a plenary session in Abuja, initiated by Mitema Obordor, a member representing Bayelsa under the PDP.

Titled “Resolving the Impasse: An Urgent Need to Investigate and Settle Lingering Police Recruitment Dispute Halting the 2023/2024 Police Recruitment,” Obordor’s motion highlighted the PSC’s authority over the appointment, promotion, and dismissal of all officers in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), excluding the IGP.

The motion stressed the importance of fostering public trust in the police force and noted that Nigeria’s current police-to-citizen ratio of 1:650 falls significantly short of the United Nations’ recommendation of 1:450. Obordor emphasized the detrimental effects of the prolonged dispute between the PSC and the IGP, which has stalled recruitment efforts for nearly ten months.

Addressing the critical need to bolster the NPF, Obordor urged adopting a ratio of 1:200 police officers to citizens and aligning with international standards of 1:450. He underscored that the shortage of police personnel has led to decreased community policing and an increase in crime rates.

In response, the House resolved to task its Committees on Police to investigate the root causes of the dispute and provide recommendations within four weeks to facilitate the resumption of recruitment. Additionally, it called upon the Federal Government to allocate adequate funding and resources for recruitment and training while ensuring adherence to federal character principles in recruitment processes, as mandated by the 1999 Constitution.