‘It is disturbing’ — Ohanaeze laments lack of interest by south-east youths in police recruitment

 Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has raised concerns over the “nonchalant attitude” shown by the youths in the south-east towards the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

On October 13, the Nigeria Police Force invited interested Nigerians to apply as constables and as artisans in specialised fields such as medical assistant, veterinary assistant, band section, communications or info-tech specialist, and other skilled fields.

The police had said that the application process would open for six weeks from October 15 to November 26.

Days after the application commenced, the Police Service Commission (PSC) announced that it had received 288,266 applications for the recruitment of constables.

Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC spokesperson, added that 217,300 Nigerian youths have so far applied for the general duty posts while 70,676 applied for specialist posts.

However, in a statement on Monday, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said “lack of interest by Igbo youths towards the Nigeria police force is disturbing”.

Iwuanyanwu said, unlike their counterparts in the northern part of the country, the youths from the south-east region are no longer deeply interested in taking up careers in the state security forces.

“I have observed with dismay the nonchalant attitude shown by the youths of the South East of Nigeria towards the ongoing recruitment exercise for General Duty Constables of the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement reads.

“The available information shows that Kaduna state is leading in the online application into the police force with 20, 259 while Anambra state trails last with a mere 541 applications. Others include Ebonyi state with 737; Abia state, 966; Imo state, 999; and Enugu, 1036.

“The lack of interest by the Igbo youths towards the Nigeria Police Force is disturbing because, it is only by enlisting in the Police Force that offers the unique possibility of becoming a senior police officer in the future.

“I hereby call on the south-east governors led by His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON; the chairman, south-east council of traditional rulers led by HRH, ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu, CFR; the states president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the chairman, association of south-east town unions led by chief Emeka Diwe; the clergy and the various Igbo groups and social movements.”