The Nigeria Police Force has raised serious concerns over the latest recruitment list provided by the Police Service Commission (PSC), alleging irregularities and corrupt practices that have resulted in unqualified individuals being shortlisted.
In a strongly worded press release, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that upon close examination of the published list, several discrepancies were detected.
“Several names of persons purported to be successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise,” Adejobi said. He added that the “most worrisome” issue is the “allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted.”
The police have now rejected the recruitment list and called for a thorough review of the process. Adejobi noted that while the Supreme Court has ruled that the power to recruit for the police lies with the PSC, this power does not extend to bringing on board “unqualified and untrained individuals.”
The police spokesperson warned that it is the police force that will ultimately have to deal with the consequences of recruiting unsuitable candidates, stating: “The same people who recruited anyhow for the police today will turn round to accuse the police tomorrow of inefficiency when their recruits start messing up.”
This controversy has once again highlighted the longstanding tensions between the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission over the recruitment process. With allegations of corruption and the selection of unfit candidates, the latest development is likely to further erode public confidence in the country’s policing system.