House members call for increased funding, training for Nigerian Police

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has urged the federal government to prioritize adequate funding for police recruitment and training.

The call to action, delivered during a plenary session on Thursday, follows a proposal by MP Mitema Obordor highlighting the importance of a well-resourced police force.

The resolution comes amid ongoing debate about the state of policing in Nigeria. Concerns have been raised about the lack of adequate manpower and training in the police force, which some say contributes to inefficiency and human rights abuses.

Titled, “There is an urgent need to investigate and resolve the protracted police recruitment dispute that has stalled the 2023/2024 police recruitment exercise,” the lawmaker stated that given Nigeria’s population and the security situation in the country, the ideal police-citizen ratio in Nigeria should be one policeman for every 200 citizens.

He added, “The prolonged dispute between the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police resulting in the stalling of the 2023/2024 recruitment process has exacerbated the existing shortage of police personnel, thereby weakening the police’s capacity to effectively respond to security threats.

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“The Council recognizes the urgent need to strengthen the Nigeria Police Force by establishing a ratio of one policeman to 200 citizens, or adopting the United Nations recommendation of a ratio of one policeman to 450 citizens to address the growing security challenges facing our country;

“The council recognises that the resolution of the protracted dispute between the police service commission and the Inspector General of Police, as well as the recruitment of additional police officers, is critical to strengthening Nigeria’s security and ensuring the safety of citizens.”

The House noted the need to strengthen the police force through proper recruitment and training. An adequately funded and trained force is seen as critical to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, which include armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorism.

The motion also addressed the reported deadlock between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the 2024 police recruitment.

The House’s call for increased funding is significant. While specific budget allocations for police recruitment and training are not publicly available, previous reports have suggested these areas may be under-resourced.

The push for reform comes as Nigeria grapples with a complex security landscape. Equipping the police with the necessary resources and training will likely be a key factor in improving public safety and fostering trust between the police and the communities they serve.

But addressing this issue is not just about funding. The House resolution does not address potential reforms to the police recruitment process or the police training academy curriculum. These areas could also be reviewed to ensure a more effective and professional police force emerges.

Reps call for increased funding, training for Nigerian Police first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.