The Special Constabulary are not police officers, and neither the commission nor the government recognize them as such, according to the Police Service Commission.
Recalls that a few days ago, a news about the recruitment of 50 atoning thugs by the Kano State Police Command went viral on social media.
Ikechukwu Ani, Head of Press and Public Relations, however, stated in a statement on Thursday that “the Police Service Commission has been drawn to the operations of the Special Constabulary in Kano State, particularly the issue of a repentant criminal said to have been recruited into the organization.
“The Commission, however, notes that the Police Act covers and recognizes constabulary operations, and that they are readily useful and necessary at this time as the country fights to end the siege of criminals across the country.”
The Commission is in contact with the Kano State Police Command, and it is aware that employing the Constabulary will help the police assist efforts to make Kano State free of crime, the statement claims.
It is important to note that those who join the Special Constabulary are assigned to work in their neighborhood, where they will be better able to track down the criminals terrorizing the area.
The statement went on to say that “some of the repentant influential youths who had previously been abandoned and used as political thugs have realized that crime does not pay and have voluntarily offered themselves to assist fight for a crime-free state.”
The statement claims that the Commission is also aware that the Kano Special Constabulary has obtained the proper training and is carrying out its legal duties in local government areas while being closely supervised by the State Police Command.
“It is clear that their involvement is intended to raise awareness of the issue and to support long-term stability, economic growth, and state development.
According to the statement, “The Commission will continue to work with the police to ensure an enhanced security of lives and property in the nation.”
It urged for a citizen-based approach to security in Nigeria, noting that security is not just a government obligation but also a responsibility of every Nigerian.
In order to prevent instances of identity crises and to define their specific roles within the country’s security architecture, the Commission will make sure that the Constabularies’ uniforms are clearly distinguished from those of the Nigeria Police Force in consultation with the Inspector-General of Police.
