A REQUEST for the recruitment of former Niger Delta agitators into the police may have been granted.
It was learnt yesterday that the plea made by the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu, got the nod of Inspector-General Alkali Usman.
The police boss gave the nod yesterday when he hosted Gen. Ndiomu at work in Abuja.
IG Usman said the former Niger Delta agitators will henceforth be recruited into the Police Force to fill the quota of the Southsouth zone.
In a statement by the media aide to the Interim Administrator, Mr. Thomas Peretu, said Gen. Ndiomu solicited the support of the police high command in the recruitment of ex-agitators to its rank and file and officers’ Corp.
According to the statement, the IG expressed disappointment at low turnout of potential recruits from the region at recruitment exercises conducted in the past years.
The quota of Southsouth, he said, was rarely filled despite efforts to encourage the enlistment of young men from the region.
The police boss reportedly assured his guest that the Police was ready to partner with the PAP in the recruitment of officers especially at the grassroots.
He said the police have put in place structures for better emoluments and career advancement of personnel.
The statement reads: “The IG stressed that the police will assist the PAP in the area of criminal investigation when such cases are brought to its attention.
“He said infractions in the agency must not be swept under the carpet and that the element of punishment in law enforcement will be brought into force to avoid recurrence of criminal acts in the organisation.”