Police Recruitment: Regional Disparities Emerge as Kaduna, Adamawa, Borno Lead While Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Imo Lag Behind

In a recent update from the Police Service Commission (PSC), it has been revealed that there are significant regional variations in the number of applications for the ongoing recruitment of general duty constables into the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). After nine days since the opening of the recruitment portal, Kaduna State has emerged as the leader, with a substantial 20,259 applications already submitted. On the contrary, Anambra State trails behind with a mere 541 applications.

Following Kaduna State in the lead are Adamawa State with 18,933 applications and Borno with 18,305. Other states with high application numbers include Bauchi (16,554), Katsina (16,232), and Kano (15,888). In stark contrast, Anambra State is accompanied by other states with notably fewer applications, such as Ebonyi (737), Abia (966), and Imo (999). Notably, Bayelsa (1,020), Enugu (1,036), Lagos (1,259), Delta (1,338), and Edo (1,526) also have relatively low application numbers.

In a gender breakdown, the PSC reports that 242,391 males have completed their applications, while only 35,405 females have registered for the recruitment exercise.

The chairman of the commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, expressed his concern about the apparent lack of interest among South East youths in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police Force. He pointed out that the South East region, currently experiencing challenges related to non-state actors’ rebellion, should have been at the forefront of joining the NPF to provide indigenous solutions to these issues. Dr. Arase urged the leadership of the zone to find ways to encourage its youths to take advantage of the recruitment opportunity offered by the government.

Furthermore, he stressed that if the South East youths choose to remain indifferent to the government’s generous employment offer within the Police force, it would be difficult for their leaders to make claims of marginalization. Dr. Arase urged the region to seize the remaining five weeks to encourage their youth to join the recruitment process.