370,000 policemen to 170 million Nigerians grossly insufficient – Hon. Nkem-Abonta

370,000 policemen to 170 million Nigerians grossly insufficient – Hon. Nkem-Abonta

 

 

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to recruit more personnel into the Nigeria Police.This call followed a motion moved by Chief Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP-Abia) and adopted by the lawmakers during plenary session.

Presenting the motion, Nkem-Abonta said the call became necessary to in order to mitigate the effects of the dwindling manpower of the police.

 

He said the recruitment of more personnel into the police was crucial in tackling insecurity in the country.
 The lawmaker said the current workforce of the Police did not meet the United Nations recommendation of 222 police officers per 100,000 persons.

“I am aware of United Nations’ recommendation of 222 policemen per 100, 000 citizens.
 “The population of Nigeria police, according to the immediate past Minister of Police Affairs, Chief Caleb Olubolade, is 370,000 to about 170 million Nigerians’’, Nkem-Abonta said.

He also emphasised the need for improved welfare for the police, pointing out that it would in turn, improve their services in the protection of lives and property.
 Mr Jones Onyereri (PDP-Imo), advocated good insurance coverage for the police against any mishaps in the course of their duty.

“This is necessary to support the families of those who die in active service’’, Onyereri said.Ms Linda Ikpeazu (PDP-Anambra), said policemen needed adequate support to function effectively.

Mr Wale Raji (Lagos-APC), condemned situations where policemen were deployed for other purposes other than their primary functions. “Policemen assigned to non-policing jobs should be returned to do their primary functions,’’ Raji stressed.

The lawmakers, therefore, resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to probe the five billion naira Police Recruitment Fund appropriated for by the 6th House and report back within four weeks.