Police Service Commission, on Thursday, explained the rationale behind the recent recruitment of ‘repentant thugs’ as Police Constables in Kano State.
The PSC explanations was made against the backdrop of viral videos on the recruitment of some repentant thugs as part of police constables drafted to fight crime in Kano. This had continued to draw condemnation from some Nigerians, who are opposed to the decision.
But the PSC, in a statement by its spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, clarified that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised there’s no gain in crimes.
The statement read, “The Commission wishes to state categorically that the Special Constabulary are not Police men and not recognised as such by the Commission and Government.
“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.”
It stated that the Commission was in touch with the Kano State Police Command, adding that it’s aware that the use of the Constabulary is to support the Police in building a crime-free Kano State.
The PSC statement further said it is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as Special Constabulary are posted to work in their locality, where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorising the place.
It added, “Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realised that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.
“The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their Local Government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.”
The statement, which further noted that their engagement was to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state, assured that the PSC Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, would continue to partner with the police to ensure improved security of lives and property in the country.
Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, stated that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian.
He therefore called for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria.