This was said by IGP Egbetokun during a paper presentation to the Senior Executive Course 45 on Wednesday at Kuru, Plateau State’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.
He claims that although the UN suggested a police to civilian ratio of one police officer to 460 persons, Nigeria had a police to citizen ratio of one to 650.
In order to match the United Nations’ suggested ratio, the NPF needs to hire an additional 190,000 people, he explained.
The police chief warned that the government’s goal toward industrialization would become unachievable if the nation is not well-policed.
The IGP continued, “Therefore, the lack of manpower, which has led to a low police presence, could impede the government’s industrialization efforts.”
“Industrial sites could become vulnerable to criminal activity and impede economic progress without sufficient police presence and response capabilities.”
In addition, the Nigerian police’s lack of resources is limiting its ability to protect the nation’s vital infrastructure.
The IGP will convene a meeting on defense and security studies on Wednesday to explore the role of police in relation to the three major concerns of industrialization, energy security, and climate change as part of their research for the year.
Security chiefs from the military, police, and other paramilitary organizations can present papers during the Security Studies Week as part of the senior executive course’s final research project.
