The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, revealed that the Nigerian Police force is set to commence the recruitment of 20,000 junior police officers.
The IGP disclosed this on Tuesday evening in a meeting with the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde at the State Secretariat, Agodi, in Ibadan.
The IGP said the Police Force intends to increase its capacity, citing the recruitment of junior police officers, which has been approved by the Presidency, as one of the measures being taken to achieve this objective.
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The IGP said the recruitment would be beneficial in Nigeria’s fight against crime and insurgency and that every local government area would benefit from the recruitment, as it will implement a community policing strategy.
“We have not just started now; it has started as far back as 2004, but it has not been effectively used by both government and members of the public,” he said.
Seyi Makinde informed the IGP that the Police Command in Oyo State had been trying its best, cooperating with the people of the state and all other security agencies.
“Because they felt that Amotekun came on board to take up their jobs and responsibilities,” he said.
“But over these few months, with the leadership of the police in the state, we have serious cooperation and the inter-agency rivalry has been reduced to the barest minimum in the state.
“We also know that this is a challenging period for the country, the resources are dwindling, but we have challenges all over, especially the insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, kidnapping in the South and ethnic tension everywhere,” the governor added.
Makinde also reiterated support for the Nigeria Police Force.