President Muhammadu Buhari has waded into the crisis between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the inspector-general of police (IGP) over recruitment into the force.
The IGP and the commission have been at loggerheads over the recruitment of 10,000 constables, which has festered as the two parties could not agree on who has the mandate to carry out the exercise.
In a meeting with Mohammed Adamu, the IGP, and Musiliu Smith, the PSC chairman, in his office on Tuesday, the president said the commission is saddled with the responsibility of appointment, promotion and discipline of officers in the force.
“By the mandate of the commission, the task of appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of officers of the Nigerian Police Force, except the Inspector General, fall under it,” the president said.
“The Commission has the most challenging responsibility of carrying out oversight responsibilities of the Police Force.
“The people that comprise this commission are mostly personally known to me and some of them have been through the mill, as it were. Therefore, I expect them to put the police in order.
“I personally believe that the Inspector General is doing his best …the police are always in the frontline and unless we get the police working effectively, the security of this country will remain in doubt.
“I am aware that you have put policies in place to reposition the Police Force in the areas of merit-driven promotion and prompt disciplinary actions.”
The president said he hopes to see a close working relationship between the force and the commission in order to secure the country.
“Government will require that you redouble your efforts and ensure that the Police Force receives the required assistance for optimum service delivery,” Buhari said.
“I wish to see close communication and understanding between you and the Nigeria Police. This is necessary for the overall efficiency and effectiveness in securing the country.”