“PCRC Joins Integrity Battle As Screening For 50,000 Constables Begins March 9”
In a decisive move to safeguard the credibility of what is considered the largest single recruitment drive in the history of the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has enlisted the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) as strategic partners in the screening of 50,000 police constables.
The collaboration was formalised at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Commission in Abuja as part of the final preparations for the physical and credentials screening phase of the recruitment exercise scheduled to commence on Monday, March 9, 2026.
The screening will take place simultaneously at designated centres across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, marking a critical stage in the federal government’s plan to strengthen the manpower of the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), mni, commended the PCRC for its longstanding commitment to national security and community policing initiatives.
Argungu acknowledged the committee’s tradition of supporting security agencies, often with personal resources, noting that such dedication would be crucial in ensuring that the recruitment process remains credible and transparent.
According to him, the Commission is determined to ensure that only individuals of proven character, competence and integrity are admitted into the police force.
“The Commission is resolutely committed to ensuring that only the best Nigerians are recruited into the Force. The strength of any police organisation lies in the quality of its recruitment,” he said.
He therefore tasked PCRC state chairmen to work closely with PSC officials, state ministries of labour and employment, and the State Intelligence Departments (SID) of the police to carefully scrutinise candidates during the screening process.
Argungu stressed that the PCRC, as representatives of local communities, must assist in verifying the indigene status and character of applicants to prevent individuals with questionable backgrounds from gaining entry into the Force.
Responding on behalf of the National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, the committee’s Deputy National President (North), Ambassador Wada Sadiq, expressed appreciation to the Commission for the confidence reposed in the organisation.
He assured the PSC of the PCRC’s full commitment to the process, pledging that the committee would deploy its grassroots network across the country to ensure that only credible and qualified Nigerians emerge from the recruitment exercise.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by PCRC state chairmen from across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, as well as zonal coordinators, alongside key members of the PSC board including Justice Paul Adamu Galumje (JSC rtd), Commissioner representing the Judiciary, and Dr. Taiwo Lakanu (DIG rtd), Chairman of the Commission’s Standing Committee on Police Matters.