The Police Service Commission (PSC) stood by its decision to enlist repentant thugs as Police Constables in Kano state, as of Thursday.
It was reported that around 50 “repentant thugs” were recruited as part of the police officers dispatched to counter crime in Kano.
Consequently, Nigerians expressed dissatisfaction and urged authorities to be cautious in their selection process for the police force.
However, in a statement issued in Abuja, the commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, supported the decision to enlist the ‘repentant thugs.’
Ani in the statement clarified that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised that crimes do not pay.
‘The Commission wishes to state categorically that the Special Constabulary are not Policemen and not recognised as such by the Commission and Government,’ he said.
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‘The Commission however notes that the Constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.’
Ani mentioned that the Commission is in touch with the Kano State Police Command and understands that the Constabulary’s role is to assist the Police in creating a Kano State that is free from crime.
He stressed that it is crucial to mention that the men and women enlisted as Special Constabulary are placed in their localities, enabling them to more effectively identify and apprehend the criminals causing chaos.
As he mentioned, a group of influential youths, previously used as political thugs and subsequently left behind, have understood that crime does not yield benefits and have voluntarily come forward to assist in the struggle for a state without crime.
The Commission acknowledges that the Kano Special Constabulary has received thorough training and is operating within their Local Government areas (LGA) in compliance with the law, under the vigilant supervision of the State Police Command.
He pointed out that their participation is clearly aimed at enhancing visibility and fostering lasting peace, as well as promoting economic growth and development within the state.
Ani also mentioned that the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police (IGP), has affirmed that the PSC will continue to partner with the Police to ensure an improved security of lives and property all over the country.
Dr. Arase stressed that security is not exclusively the government’s responsibility but that of every Nigerian, advocating for an approach to security in Nigeria that includes the active involvement of citizens.
However, he disclosed that the Commission, in consultation with the IGP, will ensure that the uniform of the Constabularies is distinctly separate from that of the Nigeria Police Force to avoid any cases of identity crisis and to clearly outline their specific roles within the security architecture of the nation.