Police recruitment: Group commends IGP’s rejection of corrupt infested recruitment lists from PSC

By Samuel Luka

The North-East Youth and Elders Peoples Forum (NEYEPF) has commended the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun for rejecting the ongoing police constable recruitment that was marred by alleged corruption and irregularities.

The forum’s National Chairman, Alhaji Salihu Magaji who stated this in Bauchi when he addressed a press conference on Sunday, added that those calling for the sack of IGP are self centered people.

According to him, such people are making the outburst just to cover the allegations raised over the conduct of the recruitment exercise.

He said any patriotic citizens under normal circumstances is expected to show concern over the vital allegations raised by a respected stakeholder like the IGP.

“The issue raised by the IGP deserved to be respected, listened to and steps taken to address the anomalies. The observation was done in the interest of Nigeria and for the success of the exercise”, the group said.

Magaji said before the IGP raised the alarm, calling for a review, series of complaints and allegations of corruption were raised by unsuspecting candidates and stakeholders on the irregularities that marred the exercise, most especially the disappearance of the names of screened candidates who were successful to the last stage.

The portal was subsequently scrutinised and was discovered that several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise”, Magaji said.

He further explained that the published list also contains several names of candidates that failed either the computer-based test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise or both.

Magaji said: “not even the IGP who reacted without prejudice to the power of the Commission to recruit for the police as ruled by the Supreme court but this power does not include the power to recruit unqualified and untrained individuals for the polic. No patriotic Nigerian will allow this to happen except if he doesn’t have the way to call for the review in order to help the country to have credible and professional police officers”, he said.

Magaji stated: “instead of them to put the interest of the country before any other interest and support for a “total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands that will serve the country better, they turn to unpatriotic activities by calling for the sack of the IGP For telling the truth”.

The National Chairman of the NEYEPF described the actions of those calling for the resignation of the IGP over his valid observation as unpatriotic, saying that such action is suspicious, indicating that there is something they want to hide.

He urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order for a thorough investigation in to the entire exercise and punish whoever is found wanting.

He equally advised President Tinubu to reward the IGP for refusing to accept unqualified newly recruited police men which is an effort to protect the integrity of the Police.

Magaji commended the IGP for providing adequate internal security through commitment and exemplary leadership style he is exhibiting.