The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to commence the recruitment of Nigerians with requisite professional qualifications into the Nigeria Police Force as part of efforts geared toward improving internal security and combat insecurity challenges bedevilling the country.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to ‘address the dearth of manpower in the Nigeria Police Force,’ sponsored by Hon. Muraina Ajibola (PDP-Oyo).
To this effect, the House urged President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the Police Service Commission (PSC) to put on hold the proposal for recruitment of part-time constables as the measure will not address the shortfall in police personnel in the country or ensure the needed security.
The lawmakers also urged Federal Government to ensure that the Forest Guards responsible for law enforcement in National Parks and forests have their operations streamlined to include enforcing poaching duties, safeguarding and protecting animals’ species and patrolling the forests to keep off bandits and criminal elements and they should be incorporated into the security architecture of the country, being a para-military agency.
The House also urged the National Security Adviser to put in place effective collaboration between the security agencies with a view to harmonizing their intelligence gathering and operations.
In his lead debate, Hon. Ajibola who observed that effective policing is the nation’s most pressing challenge stressed the “need to boost the capacity of Nigeria Police Force to enable it to perform its core constitutional function of maintaining law and order and safeguarding the lives and property of ordinary citizens, thereby addressing the spate of insecurity in the country.
“The House is aware that Nigeria has approximately 370,000 police personnel to police an estimated 200 million people, which is glaringly inadequate and self-defeating, hence the need for recruitment of more personnel for the Force.
“The House is conscious that the Nigeria Police Force is clearly overwhelmed by the numerous security challenges plaguing the country given that most activities of bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and herdsmen are carried out in enclaves, jungles and forests located all over Nigeria, which were hitherto guarded by Forest Guards.
“The House is cognizant that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, is making efforts to improve the performance of police personnel and has recently ordered police formations across the country to revert to the eight- hours, three-shift work schedule from the present 12- hours, two-shift regime which will improve the performance of police personnel by reducing work-related stress and emotional conditions that negatively impact on their performance.
“The House is also conscious that the Police Service Commission (PSC) is proposing having part-time constables, and has outlined the requisite qualifications of prospective constables and some operational details, and they will be drawn from the pool of already employed Nigerians in various professions who are physically fit and within the ages of 21 and 50 years and who, unlike their regular counterparts, will not be armed even when in uniform as their duties will be restricted to administrative matters, crowd control, alternative dispute resolutions, emergency management and other less risky or sensitive services.
“The House is also aware that there are so many Nigerians with excellent professional qualifications roaming the streets daily seeking for employment who are suitable for recruitment and should, therefore, be the target of the Nigeria Police Force with regard to the proposed part-time constables.”