PROTOCOL

Representatives of the Media/Members of the fourth Estate of the Realm, I wish to formally welcome you to this special press conference called to brief you on the on-going recruitment into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force.

2. This briefing became necessary following repeated calls and inquiries from several Nigerians on the position of the Commission on the on-going exercise specifically on whether the Commission was part of the process of the on-going completion of the 2020 recruitment.

3. You will recall that aptitude tests for shortlisted applicants from the earlier suspended 2020 recruitment was held on Friday, 29th and Saturday 30th October 2021 across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital territory, Abuja.

4. Mr. President had in 2018 approved the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians annually into the Constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force for a period of six years. This is to inject needed additional personnel and to bridge the manpower gap in the force, especially with the resurgence of banditry, terrorism and kidnapping in different parts of the country and regular loss of personnel through dismissal, retirement, natural death, accident and others.

5. The 2020 recruitment exercise which was suspended midway was the third edition in the fulfilment of the Presidential directive after a successful 2018 and 2019 exercises.

6. It is necessary to state that the on-going completion of the suspended 2020 edition was a joint decision of the Commission and that of the Nigeria Police Force and it was meant to further fast track the injection of required personnel into the force. A joint Committee of the Commission and that of the Nigeria Police Force met severally in the Commission and approved a timeline for the completion of the exercise.

7. With the completion of the aptitude tests across the country recently, successful candidates are currently undergoing medical examinations at the 17 Zonal police headquarters in the country after which fit and proper 10,000 candidates will be recruited by the Commission and sent to the Police colleges/training schools for training.

8. As you are already aware, this Commission is one of the Federal Executive Bodies established by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to Appoint, Promote and exercise Disciplinary control over all Members of the Nigeria Force (except the Inspector General of Police)

9. This current Commission came on board on the 25th of July, 2018 under the able leadership of my humble self and supported by an array of experienced public servants and technocrats appointed by Mr. President as Hon. Commissioners representing the six geo-political zones of the country and experienced Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Commission. They also represent diverse vital interest groups.

10. As a team, we have continued to work assiduously despite daunting challenges in providing a roadmap for effective policing in Nigeria in line with our constitutional mandate.

11. The Commission has since formulated guidelines on Police recruitment which is meant to promote the creation and maintenance of a professional police workforce in Nigeria which is capable of delivering an effective and efficient service that meets the needs of the public.

12. The guidelines are also to encourage the recruitment of the best applicants through the three entry levels into the Nigeria Police Force: Constables, Cadet Inspector and Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

13. The Commission in designing these guidelines has also developed an effective and accountable administrative and selective procedure and monitoring system to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force continues to reflect the diversity of the Nigerian Population.

14. There is always the advertisement of all recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force in national media and throughout the exercise the Commission ensures that complaints in respect of any stage are entertained and acted upon to ensure that people who feel aggrieved are assured that their complaints were attended to.

15. The Commission is aware of the manpower gaps in the Nigeria Police Force especially with rapid wastages of officers and men due to many reasons earlier highlighted. i The Commission wishes to commend Mr. President for his kind and gracious approval for the recruitment of 10,000 Nigerians into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force continuously for six years. We are grateful to the National Assembly for the support in approving releases of required funds for this exercise.

16. The Commission will have no choice but to reciprocate these kind gestures by ensuring that these recruitment exercises are transparent, merit based and in compliance with the letters of the Federal Character Commission. We are determined to give Nigerians credible, committed and citizen-based Policemen who will always operate within the dictates of the law.

17. The Commission will immediately after the conclusion of the 2020 suspended exercise proceed with the recruitment of another 10,000 Nigerians for 2021. The advertisement for applications is expected to be out this December.

18. I also want to use this opportunity to commend the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force led by Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for the new found progressive working relationship with the Commission. This has enabled us to iron out grey areas that hitherto appeared contentious in the past. For us and the current Police management team, it is partnership in progress that works to provide Nigerians with a Police Force that serves the interest of the people and the nation.

19. Once again I thank you for attending this Press briefing and for the support and cooperation you have always extended to the Commission. I want to assure you that from now on we are going to make this interactive session more regular in the interest of both parties and Nigerians at large.

Thank you and God bless you all

PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESS BY ALHAJI MUSILIU ADEOLA KUNBI SMITH, IGP RTD, CFR, FNIM,fwc, HONOURABLE CHAIRMAN, POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION ON THE ON-GOING RECRUITMENT OF 10,000 NIGERIANS INTO THE CONSTABLE CADRE OF THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE, HOLDING TODAY, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24THTH 2021.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WordPress spam blocked by CleanTalk.