Lack Of Sufficient Manpower Hindering Fight Against Crime – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun has lamented the lack of sufficient manpower, saying the situation was hindering the agency’s efforts to tackle crime.

Egbetokun said the police needed an extra 190,000 personnel to effectively man the country, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.

He made this known in a paper presentation to the Senior Executive Course 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State on Wednesday.

According to him, while the UN recommended one police personnel to 460 citizens ratio, Nigeria has a police-citizen ratio of 1-650.

He said: “Therefore, the NPF requires an additional 190,000 personnel to be at parity with the United Nations recommended ratio,” he said.

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The police chief noted that if the country is not well-policed and crime nipped in the bud, the government’s industrialisation drive would become unrealistic.

He added, “Therefore, the inadequate manpower, which has resulted in a low police presence, could hinder the government’s industrialization efforts.

“Without sufficient police presence and response capabilities, industrial sites could b ome vulnerable to criminal activities and hamper economic progress.

“Aside from this, the low manpower of the Nigerian police is also affecting its capacity to secure the country’s critical infrastructure.”