The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, shared that President Bola Tinubu has given approval for the annual recruitment of 30,000 policemen, during his recent visit to Adamawa State. This decision triples the previous yearly recruitment of 10,000 officers sanctioned by the former President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
Egbetokun addressed the prevalent issue of police officers being overworked, expressing optimism that this new approval would alleviate the burden. He acknowledged that currently, one policeman often takes on the responsibilities of two to three officers, leading to increased stress and fatigue.
Reflecting on the evolution of police work schedules, Egbetokun highlighted that initially, there were three shifts—morning, afternoon, and night.
However, over the years, it condensed to two shifts, morning and night, and in some instances, officers were required to work continuously for 24 hours.
Drawing from personal experiences as an area commander in Osogbo, he recounted instances where officers had to work round the clock for an entire week, transitioning between morning and night duties.
“When I was area commander in Osogbo, I have policemen who worked round the clock for a whole week, because as they are closing from morning duty, they are resuming night duty and vice versa.
Egbetokun acknowledged the public’s tendency to film and criticize officers caught sleeping in public due to such demanding schedules.
Upon assuming the role of Inspector General of Police, Egbetokun prioritized addressing the manpower shortage.
He successfully obtained President Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 30,000 officers annually over the next four years, aiming to resolve the longstanding issue of inadequate manpower within the police force.
Egbetokun also disclosed plans to introduce awards for gallantry, emphasizing that such recognition would be the criteria for special promotions.
Additionally, he underscored a shift towards merit-based promotions across all cadres within the police force, signaling a commitment to rewarding excellence and dedication.
