Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, announced during his recent visit to Adamawa State that President Bola Tinubu has sanctioned a substantial increase in the annual recruitment of policemen to 30,000, tripling the former yearly intake of 10,000 approved during the previous administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Highlighting the prevalent issue of police officers facing overwhelming workloads, Egbetokun expressed confidence that this new approval would ease the burden significantly. He acknowledged the existing scenario where one officer often assumes the duties that would typically require the presence of two to three personnel, leading to heightened stress and fatigue a犀利士 mong the force.
Egbetokun delved into the historical evolution of police work schedules, noting a shift from the original three-shift system (morning, afternoon, and night) to a condensed two-shift system (morning and night), and at times, an arduous 24-hour continuous duty for officers.
Recalling his tenure as an area commander in Osogbo, Egbetokun recounted instances where officers had to endure working round the clock for an entire week, alternating between morning and night duties.
Acknowledging the public’s tendency to film and criticize officers caught sleeping in public due to these demanding schedules, Egbetokun emphasized his commitment to addressing the manpower shortage within the police force.
Upon assuming the role of Inspector General of Police, he prioritized tackling the issue and successfully secured President Tinubu’s approval for recruiting 30,000 officers annually over the next four years, aiming to resolve the longstanding problem of inadequate personnel within the police force.
Egbetokun further unveiled plans to introduce awards recognizing gallantry, asserting that such commendations would serve as criteria for special promotions. Additionally, he underscored a shift towards merit-based promotions across all ranks within the police force, signaling a commitment to rewarding excellence and dedication among the officers.
