705 new recruit constables passed out from the Police College Ikeja on Wednesday, 6th July, 2022 as part of the Federal Government’s determination to address the man-power gap in the Nigeria Police Force.

The colourful ceremony was attended by the top echelon of the Police Force and other sister security agencies in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba noted that the Passing-Out-Parade ceremony which took place simultaneously across Police Colleges in the country represented another huge step in the drive by the Federal government to change the narratives of policing by addressing the age-long manpower gap that had been inhibiting optimal police service delivery in the country.

The IGP who was ably represented by Deputy Inspector- General, DIG, of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo at the ceremony maintained that the Federal government’s policy of recruiting ten thousand, (10,000) police constables annually was not only unprecedented in the history of law enforcement in Nigeria, but clearly confirms the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman, Nigeria Police Council to restore the lost police primacy by bequeathing to Nigerians a reformed and well-positioned Police Force with renewed capacity and commitment to attain its internal security mandate.

He maintained that the recruitment exercise underscored the determination of the federal government to address the social factors that accentuate the commission of crimes, which is unemployment, noting that the import of taking ten thousand able and active men and women out of the unemployment market annually was that these young men and women have been saved from the temptation of crimes and given a platform to rather fight the menace of crime.

Mr Kokumo disclosed that another set of 10,000 recruits batch 2021 would be resuming training soon, stating that beyond addressing the manpower gap, the federal government had remained committed to closing the gaps in relation to the operational efficiency of the Force as well as welfare regime of the Force.

He maintained that the recruitment exercise underscored the determination of the federal government to address the social factors that accentuate the commission of crimes, which is unemployment, noting that the import of taking ten thousand able and active men and women out of the unemployment market annually was that these young men and women have been saved from the temptation of crimes and given a platform to rather fight the menace of crime.

DIG Kokumo disclosed that another set of 10,000 recruits batch 2021 would be resuming training soon, stating that beyond addressing the manpower gap, the federal government had remained committed to closing the gaps in relation to the operational efficiency of the Force as well as welfare regime of the Force.

According to him, the graduating recruit constables were coming into a reformed Police Force that is experiencing  an ethical rebirth and increasingly well-equipped, well-motivated, appropriately oriented and positioned to take the war against crimes to the fortress of criminal elements that are bent on threatening the communal values for peace, security and liberty.

He charged the graduating recruits to consider themselves lucky having been found worthy in character, learning, physical and mental fitness to serve Nigeria, their fatherland and welcomed them to the big, strong and resilient Nigeria Police family and wished them a rewarding career.

Mr. Kokumo stated that the recruitment exercise was spread across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country in due regards to the federal character tenets and in line with Mr President’s directive, adding that the new recruits would be posted to their LGAs to further deepen the community policing strategy of the federal government and maximise  their local knowledge in addressing communal crimes.

He however, warned that the Force would not tolerate any act of indiscipline, adding that much as they have a promising and bright career ahead of them, how far they go would depend on their quality of character, discipline and professionalism at all times.

“The Force under my leadership has a zero-tolerance for indiscipline and any act that may be antithetical to police professionalism. I therefore, admonish you  to resolve not to engage in any act that will be unedifying of your good name, that of your families and indeed the Force as you commence your policing career today,” he stated.

 

Mr. Kokumo called on all citizens to continue to encourage their children and wards to take interest in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police as that remains the most veritable pathway to contribute to the path of national service.

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the Police Commandant, Police College, Ikeja, officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force who give their all in ensuring that the safety and security of lives and property in Lagos are well protected and guaranteed.

Well represented by the secretary to the state government, Mrs Folashade Jaji, the governor tended his commendation to the new recruits and implored them to be diligent, hard working and bring to bear the knowledge acquired in the course of the training period.

“This is a trying time for our country as we grapple with the issue of insecurity in the country which manifests in various forms including kidnapping, insurgency, terrorism, armed robbery and banditry among others. The people of this state and our country expects so much from our security agents particularly the Nigeria Police Force which you are now part of,” Mr governor said.

He enjoined them to remember all they were taught directly and indirectly through the trainings and exercises they underwent in the past months and be prepared to maximise all that they had learnt as they prepare to resume duties, make up their minds to be the committed and dedicated officer who would make the difference in the Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria at large.

“The state government has always shown commitment in the welfare of the officers posted to our state and as a government, we will continue to do all we can within our capacity to continue to encourage and motivate our security operatives to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities,” he stated.

A total of 705 recruits graduated from the Police College, Ikeja drawn from Lagos, Ogun and Osun states respectively in the passing-out-parade which took place across polices colleges in the country.

A breakdown of this number shows a total of 179 recruits from Lagos made up of 108 males and 71 females, Ogun: 213 recruits consisting of 138 males and 75 females while Osun has the highest number of 313 made of 206 males and 107 females.

 

A Across section of the constables of females and males in a match pass exercise during the POP

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to the recruits in three categories-the best in Academics, the best in Drills and the best behaved.

Shodipe Emmanuel carted away the best in academics.

Ebel Shedrack won the best in drills.

 

while the best behaved went to Blessing Williams respectively.

Cross section of the VIP’s

NIS Zonal PRO, ACI Ojo, Represented the Zonal Coordinator ACG Kunle Osisanya. Standing beside, CSP ‘A’ Police College. Ajanaku.

NPF band.