Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, has officially established an 11-member Police Recruitment Board responsible for enlisting constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
This development occurred amidst protests from members of the Joint Workers Union of the PSC on Monday. They accused Arase of nepotism, particularly noting the exclusion of the PSC recruitment director, who, according to the constitution, should have served as the board’s secretary….CONTINUE READING
Arase named Onyemuche Nnamani as the board’s chairman and Bala Ciroma, the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of training, as the vice-chairman.
Additional board members include Mohammed Magaji (representing the Ministry of Police Affairs), Dr. Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, Professor Joseph Olowofela, CP Hassan Yabanet, Yusuf Sanusi, Sani Hada, Victoria Onyekwuluije, DSO Ahanmisi Obehi, and DCP Olabode Akinbamilowo.
The board’s responsibilities include:
– Identifying and announcing available positions within the NPF.
– Developing recruitment guidelines for all police force hiring processes.
– Selecting the online platform to be used for advertising in national newspapers and other recruitment information dissemination methods.
It’s worth noting that the PSC and the NPF were previously entangled in a legal dispute regarding the authority and duty of NPF recruitment. However, in a significant ruling on July 11, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the PSC, establishing it as the sole entity responsible for NPF recruitments and conclusively resolving the matter.
Speaking on Monday, Arase stated, “The Supreme Court’s judgment will not only solidify the emerging peace, collaboration, and growing cooperation between the PSC and NPF, but also streamline and ensure smooth recruitment processes for the Nigeria Police Force.
“The recruitment board, chaired by the commission, includes members from the Nigeria Police Force as the Secretary, and representatives from the Ministry of Police Affairs and Federal Character Commission.
“The board members are tasked with working harmoniously and interdependently to select qualified and reputable Nigerians, free from any criminal record or previous convictions, to rejuvenate an efficient, responsive, responsible, and accountable police force in Nigeria.”
It was revealed that the recruitment process, scheduled to commence soon, follows former President Major General Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the annual recruitment of 10,000 personnel into the NPF.
In the meantime, members of the union staged a protest at the PSC corporate headquarters on Monday, alleging nepotism and intimidation by PSC Chairman Arase and the DIG in charge of FCID, Abuja. They also claimed unpaid allowances, including those for election duties between 2022 and 2023.
One protester stated, “The PSC chairman is oppressing us. He failed to include the PSC director in charge of recruitment, who should be the board secretary, in the Police Recruitment Board, opting instead for one of his loyalists, in violation of the constitution.”
Another protester added, “We are owed various allowances, and they have not paid us. They haven’t paid us our allowances for the 2022 elections in some states and the 2023 general elections.
“They have paid police officers and workers under the Ministry of Police Affairs. But the PSC Chairman told us that our money was paid into the NPF’s account….CONTINUE READING
Meanwhile, the Force Criminal Investigation Department has summoned several members of the Joint Workers Union of the PSC for questioning regarding alleged criminal conspiracy, malicious damage, threats to life, and actions likely to cause a breach of peace. The union members, who were invited via WhatsApp messages, expressed reservations about the invitation’s legitimacy and its official status.
