Police Recruitment Crisis: Buhari Wades Into IGP, PSC Boss’ Rift

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, waded into the crisis rocking the recruitment of 10,000 police constable.
It would be recalled that there have been disagreements between the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Service Commission (PSC), over the supervision of the recruitment process.
Briefing State House correspondents after submitting the 2018 Annual Report of the PSC, the commission’s Chairman and former Inspector General of Police, IGP Musiliu Smith said the disagreement on the recruitment was discussed at the meeting with President Buhari.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents after the meeting that had in attendance, the current IGP, Adamu Mohammed, on whether the crisis in the recent police recruitment was discussed at the meeting, Smith responded on the affirmative.
He said: “Yes it was. We took the opportunity to brief Mr President and I’m sure his lieutenants are taking care of it.”
However, President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, charged members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force delivers on its responsibilities.
Speaking, in Abuja while receiving the 2018 Annual Report of the Commission, Buhari said, “The commission has the most challenging responsibility of carrying out oversight responsibilities of the Police Force.
“The people that comprise this commission are mostly personally known to me and some of them have been through the mill as it were, therefore, I expect them to put the police in order. I personally believe that the Inspector General is doing his best …the police are always in the frontline and unless we get the police working effectively, the security of this country will remain in doubt.”
He said that, by the mandate of the commission, the task of appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of officers of the Nigerian Police Force, except the Inspector General, fell under it.
“Your assignment is enormous and calls for sacrifice and commitment especially now that almost every country is faced with severe internal security challenges. Nigeria is no exception,” Buhari added.
The president praised the commission for new ideas introduced into the workings of the force: “I am aware that you have put policies in place to reposition the Police Force in the areas of merit-driven promotion and prompt disciplinary actions.