TheCitizen - It's all about you
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials
No Result
View All Result
TheCitizen - It's all about you
No Result
View All Result

Buhari, resolve impasse over police recruitment – Punch

The Citizen by The Citizen
September 2 2022
in Public Affairs
A A
0
Police recruitment: Candidates didn’t write Arabic language test – JAMB
22
SHARES
734
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

At a time all state institutions should cooperate to tackle rising criminality, the Nigeria Police leadership is enmeshed in a needless tussle with the Police Service Commission over the recruitment of constables. The face-off between the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, and the PSC has stalled the planned intake of 10,000 new personnel to strengthen the Force. The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), should step in decisively; rein in the two parties and direct speedy action to beef up the force.

The embarrassing squabble is emblematic of the Buhari regime. The President looks on benignly while agencies and officials bicker over turf and impede important national programmes. Insecurity has reached a proportion never seen in the country before; the security agencies, including the military, are stretched almost to breaking point, and the sole police force is overwhelmed. This informed the decision to recruit 40,000 new constables over four years, with 10,000 intakes annually. It is a national emergency deserving of close presidential attention.

But the plan immediately ran into a hitch when the police challenged the authority of the PSC to undertake the recruitment. After initially intervening, Buhari has since reverted to his familiar aloofness.

In the latest round, the commission had published an advertisement calling on interested citizens to apply for the 2022 constables’ recruitment programme. But peremptorily, the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, issued a counterstatement discrediting the exercise. According to him, the advertisement “has no connection with the Nigeria Police Force nor is it in tandem with the police recruitment process and should be disregarded in its entirety.”

This is curious given the provisions of the law and a subsisting Court of Appeal ruling. More curiously, the commission surrendered to the police intimidation and suspended the exercise. In a statement, the PSC asked the thousands of youths who had shown interest not to apply for the job yet “so as to give the commission the time to settle its differences with the police authorities.” It said that all contending issues around the exercise would be resolved between the two parties “in the interest of the nation.”

This is poor governance at play; a country battling the scale of insecurity that Nigeria is witnessing should not tolerate inter-agency rivalry in security matters. Taking advantage of presidential indecisiveness, Baba appears to be acting unilaterally. The PSC too projects a lack of confidence. A subsisting Court of Appeal judgement has validated its exclusive constitutional mandate to recruit persons into the NPF. It is an egregious affront to the rule of law therefore for Baba to interfere, and PSC to acquiesce in defiance of the ruling.

This makes it even more urgent for Buhari to resolve the impasse. Paragraph 30, Part 1 of the Third Schedule of the constitution provides thus: “The Commission shall have powers to (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.”

Also, the Court of Appeal in its judgement of September 30, 2020, reiterated the powers of the PSC to exercise control over police recruitment. Justice Peter Ige held that by the combined provisions of Section 153 subsection (1)(m), Section 153 subsection (2) and Section 215 subsection (1)(b) of the constitution and paragraph 30 part 1 of the Third Schedule to the constitution, as well as sections 6 and 24 of the Police Service Commission (Establishment) Act, the commission is the sole statutory body exclusively empowered and responsible for the appointment, promotion, dismissal and exercise of disciplinary control over persons holding or aspiring to hold offices in the NPF except for the office of the IG.

Issuing a perpetual injunction, the appellate court further declared that any attempt by the defendants to appoint or recruit persons into in the Nigeria Police (except the office of the IG) amounts to unlawful usurpation of the exclusive statutory powers of the PSC.

In a society where the rule of law reigns supreme, that should have settled the matter. The only recourse left to any party, if still unsatisfied, is to appeal to the Supreme Court. Even then, without a consequent and specific court order, such an appeal does not automatically translate to a stay of execution. Given this, the prolonged feuding leading to the pause in the recruitment is baffling.

The woeful failure of the Nigeria Police to protect lives and property arises fundamentally from the anomalous single police structure in a natural federation. But this is exacerbated by a shortage of field personnel, among other factors. Filling the gap ought to be a top priority for any police chief interested in public service delivery.

Putting aside ego and needless turf wars, both parties should resolve whatever differences they have standing in the way of the recruitment. In this, they must abide strictly by the law and with judicial pronouncements. Buhari’s responsibility is to compel them to do so and without further delay.

While they bicker, terrorists have recently thrice attacked the Federal Capital Territory. The Nigeria Security Incidents Tracker compiled by Beacon Consulting reported at least 7,222 Nigerians killed and 3,823 others abducted between January and July in 2,840 incidents of insecurity. Also, no fewer than 1,499 people were injured during attacks recorded in 505 local government areas. Many rural communities are currently governed by terrorists and bandits. The ability of the country to conduct the 2023 general elections nationwide is under threat.

The ratio of police to population in Nigeria is 1:540, with 371,800 police officers. This is below the ratio of 1:400 recommended by the United Nations. Despite the glaring manpower deficit, over 60 per cent of police personnel are attached to VIPs, while other citizens are left to their fate. The IG should be worried by this.

The PSC should quickly coordinate with all stakeholders, courageously exercise its constitutional mandate and comply with the judicial orders. Buhari should restrain the IG from further delaying the recruitment.

Share9Tweet6
Previous Post

Security agents, NANS protesters clash at APC Secretariat

Next Post

Former Malaysia’s first lady to spend 10 years in jail for bribery

Related Posts

Overhaul Nigeria’s prisons – Punch
Public Affairs

Overhaul Nigeria’s prisons – Punch

July 3 2025
ICPC secures conviction against aviation worker over fake employment
Public Affairs

Second term bid interfering with governance – Punch

July 1 2025
The 2027 deadline for CBT examinations – The Sun
Public Affairs

The 2027 deadline for CBT examinations – The Sun

June 22 2025
Maryam Abacha’s forged revisionism – Punch
Public Affairs

Maryam Abacha’s forged revisionism – Punch

June 22 2025
Benue carnage: Beyond army chief’s relocation – Punch
Public Affairs

Benue carnage: Beyond army chief’s relocation – Punch

June 17 2025
Nigeria’s manufacturing: A call for revamp – Punch
Public Affairs

Nigeria’s manufacturing: A call for revamp – Punch

June 11 2025
Next Post
Former Malaysia’s first lady to spend 10 years in jail for bribery

Former Malaysia’s first lady to spend 10 years in jail for bribery

Americans expect U.S civil war in 10 years

Americans expect U.S civil war in 10 years

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

FROM THE GRASSROOTS

Olubadan dies at 90

Olubadan dies at 90

by The Editor
July 8 2025
0

...

Lagos Assembly summons AG over delayed implementation of LG law

Lagos Assembly summons AG over delayed implementation of LG law

by The Editor
July 1 2025
0

...

Boston Museum returns looted artefacts to Oba of Benin

Boston Museum returns looted artefacts to Oba of Benin

by The Editor
June 29 2025
0

...

CAN advises Miyetti Allah to tame violent members

Imo villagers decry armed herdsmen presence in farmlands

by The Editor
June 13 2025
0

...

APPOINTMENTS

Gunmen abduct passengers in Ondo

Ondo Assembly confirms 15 commissioner-nominees

by The Editor
July 1 2025
0

...

Dalori takes over as APC acting chairman

Dalori takes over as APC acting chairman

by The Editor
June 28 2025
0

...

Sierra Leone President succeeds Tinubu as new ECOWAS Chairman

Sierra Leone President succeeds Tinubu as new ECOWAS Chairman

by The Editor
June 22 2025
0

...

Police Inspectors appeal to IGP over unpaid salary arrears

Police Inspectors lament delayed promotion, appeal to IGP, PSC

by The Editor
June 17 2025
0

...

ODDITIES

Three masqueraders land in prison for flogging Enugu residents

Three masqueraders land in prison for flogging Enugu residents

by The Editor
June 29 2025
0

Police Inspector loses life by accidental discharge from son

Police Inspector loses life by accidental discharge from son

by The Editor
June 17 2025
0

Truck runs into Christmas procession in Gombe

Gombe perm sec, four others die from electrocution

by The Editor
June 14 2025
0

GLOBAL NEWS

Flash floods claim 27 lives in Texas

Flash floods claim 27 lives in Texas

by The Editor
July 8 2025
0

...

US deports eight men to South Sudan after legal battle

US deports eight men to South Sudan after legal battle

by The Editor
July 6 2025
0

...

Ex-Equatorial Guinea anti-corruption chief with over 400 sextapes faces 18-year jail term

Ex-Equatorial Guinea anti-corruption chief with over 400 sextapes faces 18-year jail term

by The Editor
July 3 2025
0

...

Iran vows retaliation if Trump enacts threats

Iran orders suspension of cooperation with UN nuclear agency

by The Editor
July 2 2025
0

...

Three die in African Union helicopter crash

Three die in African Union helicopter crash

by The Editor
July 2 2025
0

...

State of the States

Bandits snatch Xmas foodstuffs, drinks from man on bike

Kaduna debunks curfew rumour in Kakuri community

by The Editor
July 1 2025
0

...

Kogi schools to reopen Sept 14

FG grants Kogi govt 15 mining licences to tap mineral resources

by The Editor
June 28 2025
0

...

Lagos govt denies involvement in demolition of Obi’s brother’s property

Lagos govt denies involvement in demolition of Obi’s brother’s property

by The Editor
June 26 2025
0

...

Islamic New Year: Jigawa declares Friday public holiday

Islamic New Year: Jigawa declares Friday public holiday

by The Editor
June 26 2025
0

...

Plugin Install : Widget Tab Post needs JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Trump hits Japan, South Korea, others with new tariffs

Trump hits Japan, South Korea, others with new tariffs

July 8 2025
Flash floods claim 27 lives in Texas

Flash floods claim 27 lives in Texas

July 8 2025
ADC begins takeover of PDP structures in Northern states

ADC raises alarm over Tinubu’s plot to destabilise coalition

July 8 2025
Nigeria, Netherlands reopen double taxation agreement

Nigeria, Netherlands reopen double taxation agreement

July 8 2025

EDITORIAL REVIEW

Overhaul Nigeria’s prisons – Punch

Overhaul Nigeria’s prisons – Punch

by The Editor
July 3 2025
0

ICPC secures conviction against aviation worker over fake employment

Second term bid interfering with governance – Punch

by The Editor
July 1 2025
0

The 2027 deadline for CBT examinations – The Sun

The 2027 deadline for CBT examinations – The Sun

by The Editor
June 22 2025
0

Maryam Abacha’s forged revisionism – Punch

Maryam Abacha’s forged revisionism – Punch

by The Editor
June 22 2025
0

Benue carnage: Beyond army chief’s relocation – Punch

Benue carnage: Beyond army chief’s relocation – Punch

by The Editor
June 17 2025
0

Opinion

Tinubu cancels national broadcast, to address Nigerians from N’Assembly

Tinubu, The Audacity To Hope: Two years after

by The Editor
June 12 2025
0

...

Supreme Court affirms Mbah as Enugu State Governor

2027: Mbah, PDP and newfound political romance in Enugu

by The Editor
May 17 2025
0

...

Nigeria should emulate India’s blueprint for development

Nigeria should emulate India’s blueprint for development

by The Editor
April 21 2025
0

...

Much ado about immortalising Humphrey Nwosu

Much ado about immortalising Humphrey Nwosu

by The Editor
March 31 2025
0

...

Plugin Install : Popular Post Widget need JNews - View Counter to be installed
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2024 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • Latest News
  • Governance
  • Business
  • Financial Crimes
  • Opinion
  • Editorials

© 2024 TheCitizen Ng. All Rights Reserved.