The Nigerian Senate confirmed the nominations of retired Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Hashimu Salihu Argungu as Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Onyemuche Nnamani as Secretary, and Fredrick Taiwo Lakanu as a member. This decision came after a thorough review of a report presented by Senator Abdulhamid Ahmed, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, who represents Jigawa East.
During the confirmation process, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan raised a significant concern regarding the Nigeria Police Force’s current manpower crisis. He noted that in the past two years, the police force has experienced a shortfall of 20,000 recruits. This deficit stems from an ongoing power struggle between the Police Service Commission and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force over the recruitment of constables.
This recruitment issue traces back to an initiative under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which mandated the recruitment of 10,000 police officers annually over six years. However, the conflict between the PSC and the police leadership stalled this process, exacerbating the manpower shortage.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio voiced his disappointment over the situation, highlighting that it required the Supreme Court’s intervention to resolve the dispute. Akpabio expressed hope that with the confirmation of the new PSC leadership, the ongoing friction between the Police Force and the PSC would be mitigated, allowing for a more streamlined and effective recruitment process moving forward.
Hashimu Salihu Argungu’s appointment as PSC Chairman by President Bola Tinubu on June 10 marks a new chapter for the Commission. He succeeds Solomon Arase, a former Inspector General of Police, who was appointed to the position by President Buhari in January 2023. Alongside Argungu, Tinubu also appointed Onyemuche Nnamani as the Secretary of the Commission and retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu as a member.
The Senate’s confirmation of these appointments is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the operational challenges faced by the Nigeria Police Force, particularly in terms of recruitment and manpower. It is hoped that the new leadership will bring stability and efficiency to the PSC, ultimately enhancing the overall effectiveness of the police force in maintaining law and order across the country.
