THE Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has cried out over the lack of sufficient Police personnel to combat crime in the country.
IGP Egbetokun made this revelation on Wednesday in a paper presentation to the Senior Executive Course 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State .
He stressed that a further 190, 000 personnel was need to effectively police the nation.
Egbetokun pointed out that the United Nations (UN) recommended a ratio of 1 police personnel to 460 citizens.
He noted that Nigeria has, however, fallen short of that ratio, with the country’s ratio currently standing at 1personnel to 650 citizens.
“Therefore, the NPF requires an additional 190,000 personnel to be at parity with the United Nations recommended ratio,” Egbetokun said.
On Nigerian’s industrialization efforts, the IGP lamented that, without adequate manpower, the efforts will be hindered.
“Therefore, the inadequate manpower, which has resulted in a low police presence, could hinder the government’s industrialization efforts.
“Without sufficient police presence and response capabilities, industrial sites could become vulnerable to criminal activities and hamper economic progress,” he said.
Besides, the Police Chief stressed that the issue of inadequate manpower could also endanger the security of key infrastructure in the country.
The meeting hosted by the IGP on Wednesday is part of defence and security studies geared towards their research for the year.
Three key issues of energy security, industrialisation, and climate change, as well as the responsibility of the Police to this were discussed.
The Security Studies Week serves as a medium for security chiefs of the military, police, and theother para-military outfits to deliver papers for the final research work of the senior executive course.