In a significant move, the Nigeria Police Force is set to welcome 30,000 new recruits out of a staggering pool of over 400,000 applicants who applied for the police constable position during the six-week application period. The announcement was made by Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), and former Inspector General of Police, in a statement released on Sunday.
The recruitment process, slated to commence on Monday, January 8, will encompass nationwide physical and credentials screenings for the successful applicants. Arase emphasized the gravity of the task at hand during a pre-deployment briefing, stating, “this is not merely a recruitment exercise; rather, it is a saga – an epic tale where your actions will reverberate through time, each decision, each interaction becomes a paragraph in this narrative, shaping the perception of our Commission and the legacy we leave behind.”
Arase urged PSC staff to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, recognizing the unprecedented challenges they might encounter. He emphasized the pressure associated with handling the large volume of applicants, each presenting a case for joining the Nigeria Police Force.
The Chairman highlighted the historical significance of this recruitment, marking the first conducted by the Commission since the landmark Supreme Court Judgment of July 20, 2023, which reaffirmed the primacy and exclusivity of the Commission in recruiting for the Nigeria Police Force.
To ensure efficiency and transparency, the PSC is establishing a Situation Room at its Corporate Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, for the duration of the exercise. Arase warned against any form of corruption within the process, stating that staff found soliciting or collecting money from applicants or their families would face disciplinary measures, including possible termination of employment.
The spokesperson for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, provided insight into the demographics of successful applicants, revealing that Kaduna State led with 31,117 applicants, followed by Adamawa, Benue, Borno, and Katsina. Meanwhile, Anambra State had the lowest number of successful applicants with 1,141, followed by Ebonyi, Lagos, and Abia.
As the recruitment process unfolds, the nation’s scrutiny remains on the Commission, with Arase reminding the staff that their actions will be closely observed by the public. The Chairman concluded by urging each staff member to exhibit the highest standards of discipline, integrity, and honesty throughout the exercise.
