Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has said that the shortage of staff is affecting the performance of the force in the conutry.
The IG who made this statement at a dinner organized by the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, said the current police strength of 338,490 means there’s only one police officer for every 537 Nigerians, this is against the United Nations recommends a ratio of one police for every 400 civilians.
According to him, in order for the force to reach maximum strength for effective policing of the entire population, an additional 116,510 personnel needs to be employed.
While expressing optimism in the recent recruitment exercise the force is embarking on in more than five years where some 10,000 candidates will join the force, Idris blamed the shortage in manpower on the lack of rank and file recruitment since 2010, insisting it had depleted capacity for community policing.
“In order to enhance the confidence and trust of the public, the current administration has decided to coopt the community and religious leaders, as well as civil society organisations, in the screening and vetting of prospective candidates into the Force,” said Idris.
He added that the co-opting would ensure thorough vetting in “both character and merit.”
