POLICE RECRUITMENT: ‘NPF VS. PSC COURT JUDGMENT IN BEST INTEREST OF NATIONAL SECURITY – PSC BOSS, ARASE

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase today reacted to the Supreme Court Judgment over the matter between the Nigeria Police Force and Police Service Commission on the recruitment of Police constables. By this judgment, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report that all contentions over the matter has been resolved and forthwith a Recruitment Board will be established.

In his reaction, the PSC boss who is also a former IGP, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, said the judgment simply and legally cements the resolution of the issue in a win-win situation for the two institutions which ordinarily cannot effectively function, and deliver on its respective mandates without the cooperation of each other. It must be said and seen, therefore, that the judgment is delivered for the overall best interest of our national security, and goes to underscore the imperative need for
harmonious working relationship and mutual trust amongst agencies of Government.

Consequently, it is important that all concerned de-escalate and eschew all forms of hostilities, misconceptions, preconceptions and
prejudices against each other which were at the base of the hitherto characterizing of a no love lost relationship between the Commission and the NPF. He noted that the unnecessary imbrogilo impacted negatively on the Staff of the Police Service Commission and officers and other ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.

Going forward, Dr. Arase announced through a press release made available to NAOSNP by Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations that a Recruitment Board has been constituted,
chaired by the Police Service Commission, with other relevant stakeholders as members, and will be inaugurated in no distant time. The Board will screen and ensure that only able and qualified members of the
public are recruited into the NPF, reflecting also the principle of Federal Character.

The PSC boss told NAOSNP that the imperativeness of peace, harmony and cordiality between the two institutions cannot be over-emphasized, as contemporary security
provisioning has become more tasking than ever, and demands a robust policy guideline from the Commission, if the Nigeria Police Force must be repositioned for greater efficiency and effectiveness in not only meeting up with the myriad of security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria, but also birthing a responsive, responsible and accountable police to our people. Peace is essential for growth and success of any institution in delivering on its mandate, and it is hoped that the Commission and NPF will continue to build and consolidate on the emerging trust, confidence and mutual respect which will aggregate to foster and entrench a culture of love and symbiotic relationship between the two agencies, towards the attainment of our statutory mandates, for a greater, safer, prosperous and more secure Nigeria.