‘Police Belongs to Us Too:’ Gov Otti Proposes New Strategies to Boost Force Recruitment in Abia

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has called for a shift in strategy to encourage more Abians to join the Nigeria Police Force, emphasizing that the force belongs to all Nigerians and should not be viewed as an exclusive institution.

Governor Otti made this call on Tuesday, March 4, when he received a delegation from the Police Service Commission (PSC) led by Mrs. Uche Wokocha. The team visited the state to conduct medical assessments as part of the ongoing police recruitment exercise.

Addressing concerns about why Abians do not fill the state’s allocated recruitment quota, the Governor acknowledged historical skepticism toward the police but stressed the need for new communication strategies to change this perception.

“We need to think outside the box on how we communicate with our people that the Police Force is a force belonging to the whole Nigeria, and we need to enroll,” Otti stated. “We did that with the military, and it worked last year. We need to do the same thing with the police.”

The Governor suggested that recruitment campaigns should not rely solely on traditional advertising but should involve direct outreach, including radio programs and community engagement.

“Sometimes, people don’t even know about these opportunities. No matter how much you advertise, they may not hear. If you are not on the radio, they won’t know the announcements,” he explained.

Beyond recruitment challenges, Otti also addressed the impact of drug abuse on police enlistment, describing it as a serious problem affecting young people’s eligibility for service.

“It is very unfortunate. We keep doing our best in fighting this dangerous menace,” he said. “Drugs are everywhere now. Before, they were scarce and expensive, but today, people even abuse painkillers like codeine to get high. It’s a major war that we are fighting.”

The Governor assured the PSC delegation of his administration’s commitment to supporting their recruitment efforts and tackling drug abuse in collaboration with security agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Homeland Security.

Earlier, Mrs. Wokocha praised Governor Otti for his efforts in supporting Abia indigenes in the police academy and providing a documentation center for prospective recruits. She also expressed optimism that the establishment of a new police college in neighboring Akwa Ibom State would encourage more Abians to consider a career in law enforcement.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ike Nwosu, in his vote of thanks, commended Governor Otti for the warm reception and lauded his administration’s governance style, which he described as a model for other states.

Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s willingness to collaborate with the PSC to ensure that more Abians take advantage of police recruitment opportunities, saying, “Next time you are starting the recruitment, let us know, and we will join the campaign.”