The Nigeria Police Force has raised concerns about alleged irregularities and corruption in the recently released list of successful candidates for the 2022/23 police constables recruitment.
The announcement follows numerous complaints from unsuccessful candidates and stakeholders about the disappearance of the names of those who had successfully passed the screening process up to the final stage.
In a press statement on Saturday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, highlighted several anomalies in the published list. “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,” he said.
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Adejobi also pointed out that the list included the names of candidates who had failed either the computer-based test or the physical screening, as well as those disqualified for being medically unfit.
“Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted,” Adejobi added.
Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, wrote to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on June 10, objecting to the list and citing the irregularities discovered.
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Adejobi emphasized that the IGP’s response did not challenge the PSC’s authority to recruit for the police, as ruled by the Supreme Court, but stressed that this power does not extend to recruiting unqualified and untrained individuals.
“The police bear the brunt of recruiting unqualified individuals, not the PSC. Those who recruit indiscriminately today will criticize the police tomorrow for inefficiency when these recruits underperform,” Adejobi stated.
The police have dissociated themselves from the published list and are calling for a transparent and credible review of the recruitment process to ensure that only “qualified, competent, trainable, and productive hands” are recruited into the Nigeria Police Force. This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for police reform.
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Adejobi assured that the police are committed to thoroughly reviewing the process to ensure it is successful and beneficial for the force and the country.