FG approves funds for takeoff Police recruitment

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that the government has approved funds for the takeoff of the 10,000 police personnel to be recruited in to the Nigeria Police Force.

The President has also tasked the Force to put national interest first as it begins the recruitment exercise nationwide.

The president noted that aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, the recruitment will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police

Buhari also highlighted community input in policing as part of ways to address the current national security challenges that has threatened national values and development strides.

Buhari made these known in Abuja yesterday during the Ceremonial Parade to mark 11^th Biennial Nigeria Police Week. 

The president who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Lieutenant-General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (rtd) said: “the Federal Government approved the recruitment of additional 10,000 police personnel and also approved funds for the take-off of the exercise.

“Aside addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, this initiative will bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police.  In carrying out this exercise, I expect the Nigeria Police to put national interest in the forefront so that it will be in line with the reforms agenda being pursued under the Ministry of Interior.

Buhari also revealed that the Federal Government has funded the procurement of over 1,000 Patrol Vehicles and other logistics to strengthen the operational capacity of the Safer Highway Patrol Scheme and support the deployment of police personnel towards security stabilization and restoration of civil authority in the North East.

On the need for community input in policing, he said, “the need for a police system that is driven by community input in Nigeria has even become more imperative considering our current national security challenges in which Kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, transnational crimes, terrorism and other organized crimes have evolved to threaten our national values and developmental strides.”

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase vowed to redeem the image of the Nigeria Police Force and also deal with criminal elements who threaten the existence of the Force.

According to him, “We are determined to take the criminal battle to the footsteps of elements that continue to threaten our peace and security and remind the nation that with their support, the new police Force vows to defeat the threat of terror and other internal security threats.

“We are passing a clear message to the criminal community that the wind of change is now blowing through the Police, a cultural reorientation that is premised on adoption of international best policing practices is emerging, and a new Police Force that will display team spirit, loyalty, zeal, courage, civility and renewed commitment towards confronting criminal elements, hand-in-hand with the citizens is evolving.”

Arase who reassured the Federal Government of its commitment to restore its lost primacy also assured the citizens of its determination to live the true meaning of the common saying ‘Police is your friend’.

According to him, “In my capacity as the IGP, I wish to use this occasion to reassure the president of the loyalty of officers and men of the -Force and our firm determination-to advance ­the vision of a professional, community-driven police Force that will remain civil to the citizens, but potent enough to respond to any threat to our internal security and national cohesion.”