The Police Service Commission (PSC) has revealed that female applicants have outnumbered their male counterparts in some states in the ongoing police recruitment exercise, underscoring growing interest among Nigerians in joining the force.
PSC spokesperson, Torty Njoku Kalu, disclosed this during an exclusive interview on Inside Naija, a programme on CHRICED TV.
He noted that states such as Abia State recorded higher numbers of female applicants, describing the development as a positive shift toward gender inclusion in policing.
According to him, over 600,000 Nigerians have applied for the recruitment, with more than 400,000 candidates already invited for the ongoing physical screening stage.
He added that the next phase of the process will involve examinations.
The commission warned applicants to be wary of fraudsters, stressing that the recruitment process is transparent and free of charge.
It urged candidates to avoid individuals demanding payment in exchange for assistance, noting that whistleblowing channels are available to report suspicious activities.
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Applicants were advised to rely solely on the official recruitment portal www.npfapplication.psc.gov.ng for updates and information regarding their forthcoming examinations.
Kalu also indicated that while April 28 is being considered as a tentative date for the examinations, the commission would communicate the confirmed date within the week.
The PSC spokesperson also disclosed that the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is participating in the screening process for the planned recruitment of 50,000 police personnel nationwide.
Addressing concerns over police misconduct, the spokesperson maintained that the commission continues to discipline erring officers, adding that the situation would be worse without its oversight.
He encouraged members of the public to make use of whistleblowing mechanisms to report abuses and ensure accountability.
Responding to inquiries on the show about delays in retirement notification letter approval, Kalu explained that such documents are processed at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters before being forwarded to the commission for distribution, assuring that there would be no undue delay once received.
Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to grapple with a policing gap. While the United Nations recommends a police-to-population ratio of 1 officer to 450 citizens, the country currently operates at approximately 1 officer to 600 people, leaving a deficit estimated at 300,000 officers.
Responding to this challenge, Kalu expressed optimism that the Federal Government’s ongoing plan to recruit 50,000 officers at a time would significantly help in bridging the gap if sustained.