The Police Service Commission (PSC), has cleared the air on the dust being raised over recruitment of 50 repentant thugs as Special Constabularies in Kano, reiterating the fact that they are not police officers, but are recognized by law.
Our Correspondent reports that the recent induction of 50 repentant thugs, now dubbed influential youths by Kano state Police Command, through the directive of the state government has continued to elicit mixed reactions.
Fifty out of the 222 repentant influential youths had volunteered to help police fight crime, after de-radicalization, reformation and comprehensive profiling.
However a Statement by Ikechukwu Ani Head, Press and Public Relations, of PSC and made available to our Correspondent on Thursday, stated that Special Constabularies are not Police men.
The Statement reads: “The attention of the Police Service Commission 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.
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“The Commission 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.
” It is necessary to state that 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.”
Chairman of the Commission, Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police says the Commission will continue to partner with the Police to ensure an improved security of lives and property in the country.
Arase 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 will 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.
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