IGP Reveals The Number Of Police Personnel Needed To Man Nigeria

IGP Reveals The Number Of Police Personnel Needed To Man Nigeria

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has highlighted the challenge of insufficient manpower within the police force, which is hindering effective crime control in the country.

He emphasized that an additional 190,000 personnel are needed to adequately police Nigeria and address its security concerns.

Speaking during a presentation to the Senior Executive Course 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Plateau State, IGP Egbetokun pointed out that Nigeria’s current police-citizen ratio is 1 to 650, while the United Nations recommends a ratio of 1 police personnel to 460 citizens.

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This disparity underscores the need for more personnel.

Egbetokun underscored the significance of a well-policed environment for the government’s industrialization goals. He stressed that inadequate police manpower, resulting in a low police presence, could impede the progress of industrialization and leave industrial sites vulnerable to criminal activities, potentially hampering economic advancement.

Furthermore, the deficiency in police personnel has implications for safeguarding critical national infrastructure, as the police’s capacity to provide security for such assets is limited by the manpower shortage.

The discussion took place during the Security Studies Week, an event that allows top security officials from various military, police, and para-military organizations to share insights and deliver papers on important security topics. The IGP hosted the event, which centered on exploring the role of the police in relation to industrialization, energy security, and climate change.