The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has sought the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to recruit 31,000 policemen yearly in the next five years for
Nigeria to meet the United Nations (UN) requirements on policing. Represented by the Deputy-Inspector General of Police (DIG) Foluso Adebanjo/Supervising Officer in Charge of South West police training institutions, the IGP made the call at the passing out parade of 583 police constables at Ikeja, Lagos.
According to Guardian report, Idris noted that the force was currently short-staffed and not meeting with the UN benchmark of one policeman to 400 persons.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to express my appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the recruitment of 10,000 police officers and providing an enabling environment for the police to perform its constitutional functions.
“Like Oliver Twist, let us once again appeal to Mr. President to further approve the recruitment of 31,000 police officers yearly for the next five years to make the Nigeria Police operate within the United Nations approved policing ratio of 1:400.”
Idris urged the graduates to be good ambassadors and put in their best towards enhancing the performance of the force in maintaining law and order.
“The police can not afford to disappoint the populace by allowing crime and criminality to thrive in the country. You must therefore put in your best to maintain law and order at all times.
“In the course of performing your statutory functions, you will be confronted with lots of challenges, some friendly and others hostile.
“You may be faced with a situation where you are requested to bend the rules for either financial or material benefits. No matter what the promises are, you should not succumb,” he charged.
Idris continued: “Ensure that your actions are in line with extant rules and regulations and that which you can defend at all times. You may be victimised for sticking to the truth but be consoled by the fact that truth is constant and will always prevail, no matter how long it may take.”
He vowed to deal decisively with any police officer found wanting in the course of duties.
Similar call was also reiterated at the passing-out parade of the Oyo State Police College, Eleiyele, Ibadan at the weekend.
Speaking through the Assistant Inspector General of Police (Zone II), Agboola Oshodi-Glover, he charged the new 382 constables to recognise the rights of the citizens and ensure that they perform their duties within the ambit of the law.
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