Sack Of Police Boss: Police Rejects List Of Successful Candidates After Names Of Many People Who Didn’t Apply, Others Who Failed Test Were Found

The Nigeria Police Force, under Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected the list of successful applicants for constable and specialist cadre roles released by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

In a statement issued on Saturday, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi highlighted significant irregularities in the list.

When the list was released on June 4, former PSC Chairman Solomon Arase emphasized that the selection process was thorough to enhance the force’s capacity and effectiveness. However, six days later, President Bola Tinubu sacked Arase and appointed retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Hashimu Argungu as his replacement.

Adejobi revealed that numerous individuals who had not applied were listed as successful candidates. “The Nigeria Police Force has raised alarm on the irregularities and alleged corruption of the recently released names of successful candidates in the ongoing 2022/23 Police Constables Recruitment Exercise,” Adejobi stated. He detailed several issues:

• Names of individuals who did not apply or participate in the recruitment process were listed.
• The list included candidates who failed the Computer Based Test (CBT) or the physical screening exercise.
• Candidates disqualified for medical reasons were still listed as successful.
• Allegations of financial dealings and corrupt practices led to the inclusion of unqualified individuals.

Egbetokun expressed his disapproval in a letter to Arase on June 10, the same day the former chairman was dismissed. The letter noted, “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.”

The police force has distanced itself from the published list and called for a transparent review process. “The Nigeria Police Force therefore takes exception to this unpleasant development and calls for a total review of the process with a view to recruiting qualified, competent, trainable and productive hands into the Nigeria Police Force,” Adejobi said.

He reiterated the force’s commitment to a fair recruitment process and assured prospective recruits that their concerns would be addressed, aiming for a fruitful outcome for the betterment of the Nigeria Police and the country.