The delay in the recruitment of more Police officers was caused by the clash of interests between the Police Service Commission and the Police hierarchy over the appropriate body to conduct the exercise.
Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, disclosed on Thursday in Minna, Niger State.
He, however, disclosed that the dispute had been resolved, adding that the recruitment of 10,000 personnel for the Force will commence soon.
The IGP further explained that between now and year 2022, about 20,000 personnel will be engaged by the Force to boost its manpower.
Baba, while addressing officers and men of the Niger State Police Command at the Police headquarters in Minna, said, “Our problem with the Police Service Commission on who recruits is over; the recruitment, which we started in 2020, will be completed soon and by the year 2022, 20,000 men would have been added to the Force.”
He also disclosed that training and retraining of officers and men of the Force will now be given top priority, adding that trainees will now stay at. Police colleges across the country.
The IGP, who said he was a member of a national committee looking into the accommodation of policemen, added that the authorities had decided that about 1,500 houses would be provided for the Police between now and 2022.
“There will be a change; we will give you uniforms, which you were not getting before. Officers will buy uniforms, rank and file will also get shoes and berets,” he promised.
Baba urged his officers to be very prayerful for all the plans to materialise, adding that the Police Force has too many enemies. “If you are regulating human conduct, people will not like you; therefore, you must pray for the job.”
Earlier during a courtesy visit to the state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, the IGP admonished parents to encourage their children to join the Nigeria Police Force, saying that it is a honorable one.
He urged state governors to take leadership roles in community policing, noting that it is for young men and women.
Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Ahmed Ketso, acknowledged the role played by the Police in crime prevention and curbing of banditry and kidnapping in the state.
He promised to always support all the security agencies in the state to enable them to perform their constitutional roles to the optimum.
