By Linus Aleke

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has applauded the Supreme Court verdict on the controversy between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force, on whose duty it is to recruit constables into the Nigeria Police.

The Chairman of the Commission and former IGP, Dr. Solomon Arase, who reacted to the judgment, said the verdict simply and legally cements the resolution of the issue in a win-win situation for the two institutions which ordinarily cannot effectively function, and deliver on its respective mandates without the cooperation of each other.

He noted that it must be said and seen,
therefore, that the judgment is delivered for the overall interest of our national security, and goes to underscore the imperative need for harmonious working relationships and mutual trust amongst agencies of Government.

Spokesperson of PSC, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement recalled that, “On the 11th of July, 2023, the Supreme Court decided and laid to rest the contentious issue and controversy between the Police Service Commission and the Nigeria Police Force, as to whose duty it is to recruit constables for the Nigeria Police. In the judgment; the Supreme Court unequivocally pronounced the Police Service Commission as the agency statutorily mandated to do so.
Before the judgment, efforts were already in process and at an advanced stage towards an amicable resolution of the issue between the two critical institutions, as it was highly embarrassing to the Government, and indeed other stakeholders for the duo which ought to work in harmony and mutuality to have engaged in such avoidable legal disputation over an issue that sought understanding, respect and compromise”.

Dr Arase noted that it is important that all concerned de-escalate and eschew all forms of hostilities, misconceptions, preconceptions and prejudices against each other which were at the base of the hitherto characterizing of a no-love-lost relationship between the Commission and the NPF.

Your allegation is unfounded, Navy replies owner of oil theft vessel

He added that the unnecessary imbroglio impacted negatively on the Staff of the Police Service Commission and officers and other ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.

Going forward, he said that a Recruitment Board has been constituted, chaired by the Police Service Commission, with other relevant stakeholders as members, and will be inaugurated in no distant time.

The Board will screen and ensure that only able and qualified members of the public are recruited into the NPF, reflecting also the principle of Federal Character.

“The imperativeness of peace, harmony and cordiality between the two institutions, according to him cannot be over-emphasized, as contemporary security provisioning has become more tasking than ever, and demands a robust policy guideline from the Commission, if the Nigeria Police Force must be repositioned for greater efficiency and effectiveness in not only meeting up with the myriad of security challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria but also birthing a responsive, responsible and accountable police to our people. Peace is essential for the growth and success of any institution in delivering on its mandate, and it is hoped that the Commission and NPF will continue to build and consolidate on the emerging trust, confidence and mutual respect which will aggregate to foster and entrench a culture of love and symbiotic relationship between the two agencies, towards the attainment of our statutory mandates, for a greater, safer, prosperous and more secure Nigeria,” the statement concluded.