Why PSC halted recruitment exercise, details emerge, as police union declares strike

Details have now emerged over the sudden decision by the Police Service Commission (PSC) to halt the already proceeding recruitment exercise handled by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), last Tuesday.

The PSC had in a directive ordered the Police force to halt the ongoing recruitment exercise into its constabulary ‘until issues are resolved.’

The recruitment exercise overseen by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Baba Alkali, and announced by the Force, was believed to be on collision course with the PSC which oversees the affairs of the Force.

It would be recalled that a statement by the PSC through its Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, last Tuesday, the commission dismissed insinuations of a rift, just as it also stated that the recruitment will resume.

Though the issues in contentions between the Force and the PSC were not revealed, the latter however, urged intending applicants to ‘exercise patience while these issues are being resolved.’

“Police Service Commission (PSC) notes the publication of the Nigeria Police Force with regard to the 2022 Constable recruitment exercise.

“The Commission wishes to state that all contending issues around the exercise will be resolved between the two parties in the interest of the nation.

“All interested applicants and other Nigerians desirous of a career in the Nigeria Police Force should exercise patience while these issues are being resolved.

“The commission will continue to strive to give Nigerians a Police Force they will be proud of,” the PSC statement read.

However, on Thursday, following the report that the Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission has issued a notice of indefinite strike to the management of the commission over a breach of agreement, which is the real reason for the halting of the already commenced recruitment exercise into the police emerged.

It was gathered that a disagreement ensued between workers of the PSC, the Chairman of the commission, Mr Musiliu Smith, and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, over which body should be responsible for recruitment, promotion, and appointment of constables and officers in the NPF.

The police union has alleged that the IGP and other police chiefs in connivance with the chairman of the PSC have overruled the constitutional duty of the PSC.

According to the union, the IGP ‘has allegedly taken it upon himself to carry out the functions of the PSC in flagrant disregard of the Nigeria constitution, a verdict of the Appeal Court, and the authorities of the PSC.’

Meanwhile, the police commission union has announced that its strike action will commence with effect from Monday, August 29, 2022.

Chairman of the Joint Service Union, PSC Chapter, Mr Adoyi Adoyi, disclosed this, Thursday.

Adoyi said the IGP has allegedly taken it upon himself to carry out the functions of the PSC in flagrant disregard of the Nigeria constitution, a verdict of the Appeal Court, and the authorities of the PSC.

“We’re embarking on an indefinite strike from Monday, August 29, to show how discontent with the way the PSC is being run by the chairman of the commission, and the flagrant disregard for the constitution, the court of law, and the PSC by the IGO, Usman Baba.

“The duties of the PSC are spelt out in the constitution, but the IGP has disregarded all of that, and has taken over the duties of the commission. He appoints and promotes at will as opposed to what is stated in the constitution.

“According to the constitution, the appointment, promotion, and recruitment of police officers and constables are the prerogative of the PSC, not the IGP,” Adoyi said.