The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has declared that repentant terrorists and other reformed criminals will not be recruited into the police, regardless of any recommendations they may receive.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the North Central Zone, Isyaku Mohammed, made this known during a stakeholders’ meeting with police officers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport unions and other community representatives in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mohammed urged traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) not to endorse or recommend individuals with criminal backgrounds for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, while the Federal Government has its own deradicalisation programme for former Boko Haram members, the police will ensure such individuals do not gain entry into the force.
“We are doing everything possible to ensure that not just repentant criminals, but also bad boys, do not find their way into the Nigeria Police,” he said.
The DIG recalled his experience in the North-East, where some communities rejected rehabilitated Boko Haram members despite government efforts to reintegrate them into society.
He stressed that community leaders have a responsibility to expose criminals instead of helping them secure jobs in security agencies.
Mohammed also announced plans to launch a joint border patrol across Kwara State and neighbouring states, including Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi, Niger and the Benin Republic, to strengthen security and curb cross-border crimes.
He further encouraged residents to embrace community policing, describing it as an effective way to prevent crime through cooperation between security agencies and local communities.
The police chief also called for timely intelligence sharing and greater youth engagement to help reduce criminal activities.
