Niger State Governor, Umar Bago is advocating the deployment of modern technologies, especially the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), for effective policing in the country.
The Governor made the call when he granted audience to the Niger State Screening Team for the ongoing recruitment exercise into the Nigeria Police Force in the State.
According to the Governor Bago, with the high level of insecurity bedeviling the country, deploying ICT by the Police to discharge their duties, would aid in tackling the menace and also put them on the same level with their counterparts the world over.
Bago also called for the engagement of more plain clothes Police personnel for effective intelligence gathering on issues affecting the society, adding that members of the public will be more comfortable providing information to them.
While commending the efforts of the Screening Team in particular and the Nigerian Police Force in general, for embarking on such an exercise, he suggested that the Team should recommend to the Police Service Commission the need to consider posting successful candidates to their communities to serve for at least 5 to 10 years.
He said doing so would make the transition to State Policing easier and the Police personnel would effectively discharge their duties as they are familiar with their localities.
The Governor further suggested more collaborations from the NPF with the government at the State and Local government levels in terms of the screening exercises in order to get the best candidates for the job.
He therefore urged them not to compromise the process, but to ensure that only qualified and true Nigerians are recruited, promising his administration’s commitment to providing welfare and logistical supports to them to give their best.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Danladi who led the Screening Team disclosed that the Team had screened over 13,000 candidates adding that the results would soon be released and successful candidates would sit for a Computer Based Test (CBT) and those who excel would thereafter go for training.
He applauded the support of the State government through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, pointing out that the support made the screening exercise smooth.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
