By Emmanuel Nduka
The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj Gen Barry Ndiomu (rtd) in his continuous drive to restore the PAP back on track, has solicited the support of the Nigerian Police High Command in the recruitment of ex-agitators to its rank and file and officers’ Corp.
The Interim Administrator made the request when he paid a courtesy visit to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman at the Police Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.
Gen. Ndiomu revealed that the PAP has over the years trained a lot of youths from the Niger Delta region who would fit into manpower needs of the Police.
He commended the Police High Command for providing security services at its offices and facilities in Abuja and across the Niger Delta region.
Responding, the IGP was no less disappointed by low turnout of potential recruits from the region at recruitment exercises conducted in the past years.
The quota of South-South region was rarely filled despite efforts to encourage the enlistment of young men from the region.
The IGP thus assured Ndiomu that the Police is ready to partner with the PAP in the recruitment of officers especially at the grassroots.
He said the Police has put in place structures for better emoluments and career advancement, just as he also stressed that the Police will assist the PAP in the area of criminal investigation when such cases are brought to its attention.
Infractions in the agency must not be swept under the carpet, the IGP noted, adding that the element of punishment in law enforcement will be brought into force to avoid recurrence of criminal acts in the organisation.
Just like the IGP complained, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, raised the issue of dearth of Niger Deltans across the Civil Service.
She disclosed this recently when she played host to the Interim Administrator in her Office in Abuja.
