The Police Service Commission (PSC) has said that the Special Constabulary in Kano are not policemen and not recognised as such by the commission and government.
Head of Press and Public Relations of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani said this in a statement on Thursday.
The commission gave the explanation following the controversy generated after the photo of a repentant criminal in a purported police uniform circulated on social media.
In a post on X, Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi clarified that the uniform shown in the photo indicated that of Special Constabulary and not regular police force.
In its statement, the PSC said its attention “has been drawn to the operations of the Special Constabulary in Kano state especially the issue of a repentant criminal said to have been recruited into the organisation.
“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.”
The PSC added that it is “in touch with the Kano State Police Command and is aware that the use of the Constabulary is to support the Police in building a crime free Kano State”.
According to the PSC, 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.
“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.
“Their engagement is obviously for visibility and to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state,” the commission said.
Chairman of PSC, Dr. Solomon Arase, said the commission would continue to partner with the police to ensure an improved security of lives and property in the country.
The former Inspector General of Police noted that security is not only a government responsibility but that of every Nigerian and called for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria.
He however disclosed that the commission in consultation with the Inspector General of Police would ensure that the uniform of the Constabularies are clearly differentiated from that of the Nigeria Police Force to avoid cases of identity crisis and also define their specific roles in the security architecture of the nation.