In a recent announcement on Sunday, the Police Service Commission revealed that 547,774 applications have flooded the Police Recruitment portal within the five weeks since its opening on October 15, 2023.
The Herald gathered that the portal is set to close next Sunday, November 26, 2023, marking the mandatory 6-week duration required for such recruitment exercises by the Federal Character Commission.
Out of the massive pool of applicants, 358,900 were successful and qualified for the next phase of the recruitment process. This phase includes rigorous assessments such as physical tests, credentials verification, medical evaluations, and stringent background checks.
However, 84,606 applicants were rejected due to exceeding the age limit. The criteria specify that applicants must fall within the age bracket of 18 to 25 years.
Kaduna State maintained its lead as the state with the highest number of applicants, boasting 40,272 submissions. On the other end of the spectrum, Anambra found itself in the last position with 1,664 applications.
The breakdown of top applicant states continues with Adamawa in second place with 36,398 applications, followed by Borno with 32,048, Benue with 31,122, Katsina with 30,202, Bauchi with 30,604, and Kano with 30,004.
Expressing his satisfaction with the overwhelming response, the Chairman of the PSC, Dr. Solomon Arase (IGP Rtd), acknowledged the tremendous interest Nigerian youths have shown in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police.
He described this enthusiasm as a positive sign for the ‘new Police’ being developed.
Dr. Arase took the opportunity to appeal to the youth of the South-East, urging them to overcome their indifference to police work and avoid affiliations with anti-government criminal gangs.
He emphasised the importance of collective effort in building a secure and prosperous future for the region, emphasising that development cannot thrive in terror-ravaged communities.
The PSC Chairman reassured that the recruitment process would adhere strictly to defined criteria, ensuring merit and justice prevail throughout the selection processes.