•PSC: police have 19,500 personnel shortfall
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, to reduce the policemen attached to rich individuals.
The order was given when the President met with Arase, Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Mike Okiro and the Permanent Secretary of the Police Affairs Ministry, James Obiegbu.
“You must ensure that the recruitment process is transparent. Those who will conduct the recruitment must be above board. It should not be heard that they receive gratification or extort money from those who want to enlist in the police,” Femi Adesina, special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, quoted President Buhari as saying.
On the stagnation of policemen on same rank for many years, the President counselled the Police Service Commission to review the structure of the police and make recommendations on how the problem could be solved to boost the morale of policemen.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Okiro said there had been a deficiency of about 19,500 policemen since 2010.
Besides the 10,000 recently approved for recruitment by President Buhari, Okiro said only 1,500 officers had been replaced of the 21,000 deficiency since 2010.
He said: “We thought about recruitment of police officers. Over the years, more than 21,000 police officers had retired; some dismissed, some died between 2010 and today. Of this, only about 1,500 were replaced.
“So we discussed this with Mr. President. Of course, you are aware that a few days ago, Mr. President said the police are going to recruit 10,000.
“We discussed with him on modalities and how to ensure that the 10,000 people are recruited to maintain security.”
On how soon the recruitment would start, he said certain procedures and guidelines must first be put in place.
Speaking on the meeting with the President, he said: “We, permanent secretary of Police Affairs, chairman of Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police with their members and management staff, briefed the President on the needs and challenges, success recorded and things to be done to ensure that security is maintained.
Asked about any specific di rective from the President, he said: “Of course, he has given us assurance that the police will be encouraged, will be funded, will be equipped within the provisions of the budget to make sure Nigerians are provided with adequate security.”
According to him, the issue of pension for retired officers were not discussed with the President.
The Permanent Secretary, James Obiegbu, said the President was interested in the welfare of officers.
He said: “He was interested in the issues concerning their emotions, issues concerning their placing, he was concerned with everything that concerns them.”
He said Buhari had promised to continue to support the police family with the challenges of funding facing the force.
“Issues about funding of the police is something that has been on the front burner because it requires a lot of funding and not something the government can do alone.
“There can never be a specific amount for the police to function effectively. If you know what it takes to keep patrol all over the country, keep vehicles and men on the road, you will have an idea of how funding requirements of police can be.”
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