The Police Service Commission (PSC) has challenged the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to provide verifiable evidence supporting the allegations against it concerning the recruitment of constables. In a statement issued by Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC’s Head of Press and Public Relations, the commission accused the NPF of attempting to tarnish its reputation.

Ani stated, "The Commission has continually faced indignities while performing its constitutionally assigned duties, despite the Supreme Court ruling in its favor. The recent acts of intimidation and inducements by the Police to discredit the Commission in the media are a serious affront to its mandate."

He emphasized that the PSC had carefully reviewed the issues surrounding the recruitment process and concluded that the Police were reluctant to allow the Commission to fulfill its constitutional role even after the Supreme Court judgment.

"The Commission demands that the Police provide verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations, as it is clear they are trying to undermine the Commission," Ani said.

In a statement on Saturday, Police spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi rejected the names of recruits provided by the PSC, claiming the PSC portal contained names of individuals who had not applied or participated in the recruitment exercise. The Joint Union Congress of the PSC vehemently denied these allegations and called for the removal of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Egbetokun denied any conflict with the PSC, stating his actions were aimed at ensuring the recruitment of qualified candidates. In response, the PSC asserted that it had followed due process and called for a forensic audit of the recruitment lists using the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) computer-based test results.

Ani highlighted that the Supreme Court judgment delivered on July 11, 2023, affirmed the PSC's authority to recruit without assigning any role to the Police. This contradicted Egbetokun's claim that the Police were not excluded from the recruitment process.

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Ani criticized the Police for attributing their failures to poor recruitment practices, noting that previous recruitment exercises overseen by the Police were now affecting their ability to perform effectively. He called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure Egbetokun respects the PSC's constitutional mandate.

"It is the Commission's opinion that the successful candidates should proceed with their training without delay. We appeal to Mr. President to protect the Commission and ensure the Nigeria Police Force respects its constitutional mandate to recruit," Ani concluded.