The House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing dispute between the Police Services Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regarding police recruitment.
Rep. Mitema Obordor (PDP-Bayelsa) introduced a motion during a plenary session in Abuja, titled “Resolving the Impasse: An Urgent Need to Investigate and Settle Lingering Police Recruitment Dispute Halting the 2023/2024 Police Recruitment.” He emphasized the PSC’s role in supervising the Nigerian police, including the power to appoint, promote, and dismiss officers, excluding the IGP.
Obordor highlighted the severe shortfall in police personnel, with the current ratio at one officer per 650 citizens, far below the United Nations’ recommendation of one officer per 450 citizens. The dispute between the PSC and the IGP has stalled recruitment for almost 10 months, exacerbating security challenges.
The House adopted the motion, urging its committees on police to investigate and resolve the dispute promptly. It also called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for police recruitment and training, increase the number of recruits, and adhere to federal character provisions in the 1999 Constitution.
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