Reps move to resolve ‘dispute’ between NPF, PSC

The house of representatives has moved to resolve the “dispute” between the Nigeria Police Force (NPC) and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during the plenary session on Thursday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Mitema Obordor from Bayelsa state.

Recently, the NPF and the PSC have been engaged in a dispute over the recruitment of constables.

Last month, the NPF rejected police constable recruitment by the PSC over alleged corruption and irregularities.

Moving the motion, Obordor said there is a need to resolve the matter to recruit more constables into the force to tackle the insecurity in the country.

“In view of the population of Nigeria and the security situation in the country, the ideal police-to-citizen ratio in Nigeria ought to be one police officer to 200 citizens,” the lawmaker said.

“However, the country currently has a ratio of one police officer to 650 citizens, indicating a significant shortfall in Nigeria’s police strength and far below the United Nations recommendation of one police officer to 450 citizens.

“The lingering dispute between the Nigeria Police Service Commission and the inspector-general of police has resulted in an impasse and regrettably halted the ongoing recruitment process for almost ten months.

“The lingering dispute between the Police Service Commission and the inspector-general of police, which has resulted in a halt in the 2023–2024 recruitment process, exacerbates the existing shortage of police personnel, undermining the police’s capacity to effectively respond to security threats.

“There is a critical need to strengthen the Nigerian police force by setting a ratio of one police officer to 200 citizens or adopting the United Nations recommendation of a ratio of one police officer to 450 citizens to address the escalating security challenges facing our nation.

“The resolution of the lingering dispute between the Police Service Commission and the inspector-general of police and the recruitment of additional police officers is crucial to bolstering Nigeria’s security and ensuring the safety of citizens.

“The shortage of police personnel has reduced police presence in communities, thereby leading to a surge in crime rates as criminals take advantage of the situation, especially in Bayelsa state, compromised public safety, eroded trust in the police force, and eroded the government’s ability to ensure security.

“The dispute between the Police Service Commission and the inspector-general of police, which has resulted in a halt in police recruitment and the attendant capacity shortage and weakness of the Nigerian police, may have far-reaching national security implications, potentially emboldening terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.”

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the house of representatives.

Consequently, the house mandated the committee on police to investigate the “root cause of the lingering dispute” between the PSC and the NPF to resolve the face-off.

The green chamber also asked the federal government to provide adequate funding and resources necessary to support the recruitment and training of police officers.