POLICING… THE BEST JOB YOU CAN DO – SP Bala Elkana, Lagos State Command PPRO
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
SP Bala Elkana, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command Addressing some of the Constable Applicants at the Police College, G.R.A, Ikeja.
• As Lagos Police PRO promises on the credibility of recruitment process
• Warns applicants not ‘to sabotage the efforts of the government’
The physical recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Police for Constable applicants has commenced today Monday 24th August across the country with each state recording a good turnout of candidates. During the flag-off exercise ar the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Hakeem Odumosu used the opportunity to address the intending policemen under his jurisdiction and charged them to be of best behavior.
Some of the Constable Applicants during the Physical Screening Exercise at Police College, G.R.A, Ikeja.
The Lagos State Police Command has about 3000 applicants which is one of the lowest in the federation. In spite of that, the administration in the Command has spread the exercise over the course of two weeks to avoid unnecessary mass gathering as the nation battles the coronavirus pandemic. It also put in place requisite health protocols as stated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Speaking with Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper at the screening exercise, Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bala Elkana noted: ‘The dream of masking up Lagos is actualized here, we enforce it fully. You can’t be in our facility without being masked. Water is available to wash hands. Sanitisers are also available and the physical distance of 2 metres apart is well taken care of.’
On the importance of the exercise, the Police PRO noted: ‘In this noble profession, aside the online application the applicants are presenting themselves physically to see if they meet standards like height, fitness, good sight and other physical credentials.’
‘Part of the endurance exercise is to keep people standing for up to one hour, interacting with them and watching them closely to see those who can endure certain things, those who have patience and those who are highly temperamental. We want to see those that can be entrusted with the safety of lives and properties. Yes we can get it right and give Nigeria young noble men and women that will keep Nigeria safe.’
‘Our intelligence unit is out to check criminal records so they are analyzing that because we don’t want criminals to be recruited. You must be proven credible people and good integrity. Applicants must have at least six (6) credits. Police is not a job for dropouts. This is how we select the best police officers, the best job you can do is Policing because, we are entrusted with the safety of the citizens and we must bring in credible people who can champion and ensure safety of the citizens, lives and properties.’
On the credibility of the process, SP Elkana shared: ‘We are giving Nigerians equal opportunities whether rich or poor irrespective of background and we have refused any applicant to come to the Command. We have also warned applicants so that they will not be victims of scammers whether online or physical. If you give out money to anyone to influence the process, you will be charged equally with the person that collected the money from you so be guided. We will not only arrest the receiver but also the giver because you know what you are doing. You want to sabotage the efforts of the government. The warning has been given and it is clear to everybody. So if you check through the hall, you will see how open the process is. We have said it, if you don’t have anything doing in this place you are not expected to come around.’
It should be noted that in a press statement Ref No: CZ:5650/LS/PPRD/VOL.3/32 released by the Lagos Police PRO, SP Bala Elkana on 22nd August, 2020, the applicants are expected to be physically present at the Police College, Ikeja to be screened in batches based on their respective local government area.
Monday 24th August is for Agege and Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGAs, Tuesday 25th August is for Alimosho and Amuwo-Odofin LGAs, Wednesday 26th August is for Apapa and Badagry LGAs, Thursday 27th August is for Epe and Eti-Osa LGAs, Friday 28th August is for Ibeju-Lekki LGA, and Saturday 29th August is for Ifako-Ijaiye LGA.
Others are Monday 31st August for Ikeja and Ikorodu LGAs, Tuesday 1st September for Kosofe and Lagos Island LGAs, Wednesday 2nd September is for Lagos Mainland and Mushin LGA, Thursday 3rd September is for Ojo and Oshodi-Isolo LGAs, Friday 4th September is for Somolu LGA, and Saturday 5th September is for Surulere LGA.
