LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Nigeria Police Force has raised concerns about potential irregularities and corruption affecting the recently published list of successful candidates for the 2022/23 police constables recruitment.
This comes after numerous complaints from unsuccessful candidates and stakeholders regarding the omission of names of individuals who had successfully passed all screening stages.
In a statement released on Saturday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted that an examination of the list unveiled multiple irregularities.
“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,” he said.
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Adejobi further noted that the list included names of candidates who had not passed the Computer Based Test or the physical screening, as well as those who were disqualified for medical reasons.
“Most worrisome is the allegation of financial dealings and corrupt practices leading to the outcome where unqualified and untrainable individuals have been shortlisted,” he stated.
The police spokesperson disclosed that on June 10, Inspector General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun sent a letter to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, highlighting and objecting to the irregularities found in the list.
“The reaction of the IGP was 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 police,” Adejobi stated.
He added, “Noting that it is the police that bears the brunt of recruitment of unqualified individuals and not the PSC. The same people who recruited anyhow for the police today will turn round to accuse the police tomorrow of inefficiency when their recruits start messing up.”
Adejobi stated that the police have distanced themselves from the published list, urging for a transparent and credible review of the recruitment process,”qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands into the Nigeria Police Force, in line with the vision of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led administration on police reform.”
He also assured everyone that the police are dedicated to thoroughly reviewing the process to ensure it is effective and successful for the benefit of both the force and the country.