**House of Representatives Intervenes in Police Recruitment Dispute Between PSC and IGP**
The House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing conflict between the Police Services Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over recruitment into the force.
This action followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Mitema Obordor (PDP-Bayelsa) during a plenary session in Abuja.
Titled “Resolving the Impasse: An Urgent Need to Investigate and Settle Lingering Police Recruitment Dispute Halting the 2023/2024 Police Recruitment,” the motion highlighted key issues impacting police recruitment.
Obordor emphasized that the PSC, which supervises the Nigerian police, holds the authority to appoint, promote, and dismiss all officers except the IGP. This structure aims to foster a relationship of trust and confidence between the public and the police.
Obordor pointed out the critical need for a better police-to-citizen ratio in Nigeria, given the country’s population and security situation. Ideally, Nigeria should have one police officer for every 200 citizens, but currently, the ratio stands at one officer for every 650 citizens, far below the United Nations recommendation of one officer for every 450 citizens.
The ongoing dispute between the PSC and the IGP has led to a 10-month halt in the recruitment process, exacerbating the police personnel shortage and increasing crime rates as a result.
The House, upon adopting the motion, has urged its committees on police to investigate the root cause of the dispute between the PSC and the IGP. The aim is to resolve the impasse, resume the recruitment process without further delay, and report back with recommendations within four weeks.
Additionally, the House called on the Federal Government to provide adequate funding and resources to support the recruitment and training of police officers. It also urged the government to increase the number of recruits while ensuring adherence to federal character provisions as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. (NAN)