The Nigeria Police Force has flagged significant irregularities and alleged corruption in the 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise.
Daily News 24 reports that the announcement follows numerous complaints and allegations from candidates and stakeholders regarding the discrepancies in the list of successful candidates.
In a press statement by the Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police detailed the issues discovered upon reviewing the list released on the Police Service Commission (PSC) portal.
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“Several names of persons purported to be successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise,” the statement revealed. Additionally, the list included “candidates who failed either the Computer Based Test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise, or both.”
Further scrutiny uncovered that some candidates who were medically disqualified had also been listed.
“Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted,” the statement added.
In response to the findings, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) wrote a letter of objection to the PSC Chairman on June 10, 2024, highlighting the irregularities.
“The reaction of the IGP was without prejudice to the power of the Commission to recruit for the police as ruled by the Supreme Court, but this power does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the police,” the statement emphasized.
The Police Force has since distanced itself from the published list, calling for a review that is “transparent and credible.” They stressed the importance of recruiting qualified and competent individuals, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for police reform.
The press release also noted the failure of the Joint Recruitment Board, constituted after the Supreme Court ruling on the PSC’s recruitment powers, to function effectively. The Board, headed by a PSC Commissioner and the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Training and Development as its Secretary, was reportedly sidelined, and the final list was not approved by the Board.
“The Nigeria Police Force therefore takes exception to this unpleasant development and calls for a total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands into the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement declared.
The Police assured prospective recruits that their concerns are being taken seriously and committed to ensuring a thorough review of the process for the betterment of the Nigeria Police Force and the country.
