PSC Defends Recruitment Of ‘Repentant Thugs’ As Police Constables In Kano

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has justified the recruitment of “repentant thugs” as part of the police officers drafted to fight crime in Kano State.

Osun Defender had reported that the 50 “repentant thugs” were absorbed into the Kano State command, with Nigerians expressing displeasure on the development.

But defending the decision, PSC argued that the “repentant criminals” were recruited as police constabulary because they had realised that crimes do not pay.

The spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said the engagement of the ‘repentant thugs’ was obviously for visibility and to promote sustainable peace, economic growth and development of the state, adding they had gotten adequate training on policing system in the country.

Ani further argued that the special constabulary were not policemen and that they are not recognised by the commission and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that the PSC would continue to recruit such persons since Police Act captured that.

He said, “It is necessary to state that the men and women recruited as special constabulary are posted to work in their locality where they will be in a better position to fish out the criminals terrorising the place.

“Some of the repentant influential youths previously used in the past as political thugs and abandoned have realised that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime free state.

“The Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has received adequate training and are working in their local government areas as required by law but under strict supervision of the State Police Command.”

“The commission wishes to state categorically that the special constabulary are not policemen and not recognised as such by the commission and the government.

“The commission, however, notes that the constabulary operations are covered and recognised by the Police Act and are readily useful and needed now that the nation is fighting to end the siege of criminals across the country.

“The commission is in touch with the Kano State Police command and is aware that the use of the constabulary is to support the police in building a crime free Kano State.”