Unending Rift Between the Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission: Implications for Our Collective Security

By Taiwo Olapade

Should President Tinubu intervene in the ongoing rift between the Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission before it escalates further? The answer could go either way, depending on your point of view.

However, what is crystal clear, regardless of your perspective, is the urgent need to improve the security of lives and property due to the daily emerging challenges we face.

The security challenges in the country today have no bias for tribe, religion, culture, or political party, implying that we are all in this together. This is why we must work in synergy to defeat the common enemies of the state who have made life not only difficult but miserable for all of us.

Currently, the country is projected to have a population of over two hundred million with a combined security force of close to one million. Unfortunately, about 20% of this already inadequate security force, particularly the police, is deployed to protect elected officials, political appointees, government officials, expatriates, diplomats, VIPs, and the list goes on.

To be clear, I am not against anyone who can afford the extra cost to protect their life and property, but my concern is the fact that the ongoing rivalry between the Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission has deprived the country of the opportunity to recruit more Nigerians willing to bridge the deficit in the police force.

To clarify, the Act establishing the Nigeria Police mandates it with the internal security of lives and property of the citizens, while the Police Service Commission is the civilian oversight body established under the Nigerian Constitution for the Nigeria Police Force. It has the power to appoint, promote, discipline, and dismiss all officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) except the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

The next question should be, what then is the reason for the disagreement between the two? I see them as like Siamese twins. They both need each other and should work in that manner.

The new Police Act of 2020 provides for a more effective and well-organized Police Force driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources. Meanwhile, the vision of the PSC is to ensure a highly motivated, professional, disciplined, and accountable Police Service that upholds human rights.

The ongoing rift between the Nigeria Police and the Police Service Commission has jeopardized the country’s desire to recruit at least 10,000 policemen yearly for the next ten years to address the deficit. This has continued to put the lives and property of Nigerians at risk due to the needless disagreement over recent recruitment procedures.

Should the President intervene and resolve this matter now? The answer is yes, because the fate of Nigerians who have volunteered to join the Nigeria Police and have gone through the necessary procedures is currently hanging in the balance.

The need to increase the size of our Police Force, I am sure is not in contest by anyone except for the unhealthy rivalry between the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission. Surprisingly, the Chairmen of the PSC are either former IGPs or DIGs who, I strongly believe, advocated for the same recruitment when they were in service.

Enough of this ego among Nigerians privileged to serve at higher levels when the lives and property of fellow law-abiding citizens are threatened daily by enemies of the state.