The recent announcements that the Nigeria Police force (NPF) is to recruit 10,000 additional men and that Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) would be installed in major cities and towns across the nation is a welcome development. There is little doubt that these moves would strengthen the security of our public spaces.
Our police force which is the principal law enforcement agency in the country is under-staffed.
Comprising 36 state commands grouped into 12 zones and seven administrative organs, the Nigeria Police Force currently has 305,579, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, was quoted as saying during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. With a population of over 170 million, it means Nigeria has ratio of one policeman to over 500 citizens, against the United Nations standard ratio of 1:400.
Security experts say if the police urgently require 10,000 for immediate duties then they should revisit the whole matter of the number of officers undertaking non-essential duties. Many experienced officers are engaged in so called VIP protection. Between the Senators, Members of the House of Reps, Governors, Ministers, State Commissioners, Chiefs of Staff, Special Advisers (SA’s), Local Government Chairmen and even in some cases Councillors there are well over 10,000 police who could be transferred to crime fighting duties. When the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was established in 2003 its primary function was to protect lives and properties in conjunction with the police. One crucial function was to protect pipelines. It was expected that the large number of experienced police officers on non-essential duties would be relieved and return to crime detection and prevention.
However in the intervening period rather than invest in the civil defence corps multi-billion naira contracts were awarded to former militants to protect oil pipelines, and policemen continued to be used as glorified PA’s and “house-helps” by VIPs. The general public doesn’t really know the function of NSCDC who patrol the streets and appear to have no fixed duties to perform. In addition to this anomaly the Oronsaye report in which it was recommended that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission be re-integrated into the force must be reconsidered. This will definitely enhance the crime prevention and detection capabilities of the force.
The installation of CCTV is a sensitive matter. There have been several contracts awarded for such security systems in the Federal Capital Territory, yet despite huge sums being paid out none of them are functional. Investigations must be made to find out who was responsible for the fraud, and ensure that the same people do not corner the contract for the national installation.
The planned recruitment exercise must be carried out with caution. NPF has continuously experienced problems with recruitment, training, inefficiency and discipline. There were a reported 10,000 police with criminal records who were recruited between 2001 and 2004. The end result was increased police corruption, as well as increased public dissatisfaction and distrust of the force. Although commendable the recruitment exercise should be handled correctly. There are four major pitfalls which should be avoided.
Firstly there should be no repeat of the immigration recruitment scandal in which so many lost their lives or were traumatised simply looking for employment.
Secondly there is no reason why the exercise should be carried out by a “consultant” who will walk away with hundreds of millions of naira.
Thirdly there is no reason for any cumbersome “on-line” registration procedure in which touts and fraudsters will defeat the system. Lastly 10,000 police represent just 300 from each state, therefore not more than 500 applicants should be shortlisted to appear for interviews in each state command.
The police authorities should take their time to do proper background checks and find out why the applicants want to join the force. They must collect proper references and investigate qualifications to eliminate incidences of fake certificates. Enough time and effort should be taken to investigate the true qualities of applicants rather than take advantage of thousands of hapless Nigerians gathered inside stadia all over the nation.
Our police force which is the principal law enforcement agency in the country is under-staffed.
Comprising 36 state commands grouped into 12 zones and seven administrative organs, the Nigeria Police Force currently has 305,579, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro, was quoted as saying during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari. With a population of over 170 million, it means Nigeria has ratio of one policeman to over 500 citizens, against the United Nations standard ratio of 1:400.
Security experts say if the police urgently require 10,000 for immediate duties then they should revisit the whole matter of the number of officers undertaking non-essential duties. Many experienced officers are engaged in so called VIP protection. Between the Senators, Members of the House of Reps, Governors, Ministers, State Commissioners, Chiefs of Staff, Special Advisers (SA’s), Local Government Chairmen and even in some cases Councillors there are well over 10,000 police who could be transferred to crime fighting duties. When the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was established in 2003 its primary function was to protect lives and properties in conjunction with the police. One crucial function was to protect pipelines. It was expected that the large number of experienced police officers on non-essential duties would be relieved and return to crime detection and prevention.
However in the intervening period rather than invest in the civil defence corps multi-billion naira contracts were awarded to former militants to protect oil pipelines, and policemen continued to be used as glorified PA’s and “house-helps” by VIPs. The general public doesn’t really know the function of NSCDC who patrol the streets and appear to have no fixed duties to perform. In addition to this anomaly the Oronsaye report in which it was recommended that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission be re-integrated into the force must be reconsidered. This will definitely enhance the crime prevention and detection capabilities of the force.
The installation of CCTV is a sensitive matter. There have been several contracts awarded for such security systems in the Federal Capital Territory, yet despite huge sums being paid out none of them are functional. Investigations must be made to find out who was responsible for the fraud, and ensure that the same people do not corner the contract for the national installation.
The planned recruitment exercise must be carried out with caution. NPF has continuously experienced problems with recruitment, training, inefficiency and discipline. There were a reported 10,000 police with criminal records who were recruited between 2001 and 2004. The end result was increased police corruption, as well as increased public dissatisfaction and distrust of the force. Although commendable the recruitment exercise should be handled correctly. There are four major pitfalls which should be avoided.
Firstly there should be no repeat of the immigration recruitment scandal in which so many lost their lives or were traumatised simply looking for employment.
Secondly there is no reason why the exercise should be carried out by a “consultant” who will walk away with hundreds of millions of naira.
Thirdly there is no reason for any cumbersome “on-line” registration procedure in which touts and fraudsters will defeat the system. Lastly 10,000 police represent just 300 from each state, therefore not more than 500 applicants should be shortlisted to appear for interviews in each state command.
The police authorities should take their time to do proper background checks and find out why the applicants want to join the force. They must collect proper references and investigate qualifications to eliminate incidences of fake certificates. Enough time and effort should be taken to investigate the true qualities of applicants rather than take advantage of thousands of hapless Nigerians gathered inside stadia all over the nation.
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