Recruitment of 10,000 policemen personnel kicks off March

Mike Okiro, chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC), on Thursday disclosed that the sum of N8.6 billion was required for the recruitment of 10,000 policemen.

From the sum, N3.40 billion is for feeding; N2.835 billion is for allowances and salaries; N1,013,550,000 is for accoutrement; N450 million is for arms and ammunition (shooting range); N339.473 million is for overhead; N179 million is for renovation of training institutions; N118.29 million is for teaching aids; N117.958 million is for monitoring and evaluation; N61.266 million is for teaching allowance; N1,892,891.25 is for advertisement while N1.167 million is for technical resources.

The recruitment scheduled for first week of March 2016, would take place at all the state capital across the country including Abuja, while all processes for the selection of most suitable qualified candidates into various ranks and cares shall be completed by June 30, 2016.

According to the recruitment schedule seen by BusinessDay, the training of the selected candidates would commence in the first week of July 2016.

Okiro gave the hint at the public hearing on extra-judicial killings and other high profile murder; kidnapping, among others, held at the instance of the House Committee on Police Affairs, chaired by Haliru Jika.

BusinessDay gathered that the amount was captured in the 2016 budget proposal and that all the 10,000 personal to be employed would be paid as recruit throughout their training period.

On his part, Danazuni Doma, deputy inspector general of Police (Finance and Admin), disclosed that negotiations with South Korea and Indian Police authorities had reached highest level.

He also hinted on the ongoing synergy with INEC, FRSC, NCC and telecoms operators towards the establishment of criminal database, which would be ready by next year.

To ensure adequate funding of the police, he disclosed that plans were underway to present a bill to the National Assembly on alternative funding outside annual budgetary allocation.

While declaring the public hearing opened, speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, expressed concern over spate of extra judicial killings, kidnapping and high profile murder in recent times in Nigeria.

BusinessDay gathered that 548 cases of kidnapping were recorded between January and June 2015.

Dogara, who argued that the ugly incidences constitute national challenge, noted that the legislative agenda of the eighth House of Representatives was in response to public agitation to arrest these nagging security challenges in the country.

He further assured that the House will provide legislative backing to measures aimed at addressing national security challenges including terrorism and insurgency in the North-East of the country, kidnapping and crime generally.

“The legal framework to support the security services in tackling crime, terrorism and other national security concerns would be given full support,” Dogara assured.

On his part, Halliru Jika. Chairman, House Committee on Police Affairs, said the committee will not fail the Nigerian people in supporting the police to ensure proper discharge of their duties.

“As it is often said, ‘security is everybody’s business’ so this committee is calling on all and sundry to provide it with every assistance to ensure that the lives and property of Nigerian people are secured and safe.

“As a Parliament, we are committed to upholding the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and other extant laws,” he said.

Other lawmakers who spoke at the public hearing expressed concerns over the readiness of Police in tackling various internal security challenges.

They also expressed reservation over the lingering rivalry between Police and other security agencies, intelligence sharing with telecommunication operators.