Kwara state police commmand Wednesday passed out 467 constables from its police training school, Ilorin bringing the total numbers of police constables recruited across the country to 10,000 for 2020 bactch.

The new constables recruited for general duties, are to be posted to their local government areas in line with current trend of community polcing policy of the Nigerian police force.

Speaking at the constables 2022 passing out parade in Ilorin, Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, said only 11 out of the expected number did not make the ceremony due to the training rigour or medical challenges.

Represented by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Ede Ayuba, the IGP said the Nigeria Police intend to recruit 10,000 police officers every year to fill the current“Actually, with what the Police is doing in recruitment of personnel, we are filling the gap. People are retiring almost on daily basis. The number we're recruiting surpasses the number of personnel retiring. So, we're bridging the gap.

“This is 2020 Batch. As they are passing out, in no distant time, the 2021 Batch would come in, while the 2022 would stand by. So, by the time we go to the field with all these numbers, we would have shored up our number to a higher level,” he said.

The IGP, who said the new constables would be posted to their local government areas of origin for effective community policing warned that the force , has zero tolerance for corruption.

“You are charged to reflect the true professionalism for which you have been trained,” the top cop told the freshmen police officers.

He added that the recruitment exercise was part of the drive by the federal government to ensure effective manpower to combat the nation's security challenges.

He also charged the new police personnel to see Nigerians as their employers.

“It's the taxes of Nigerians that are being used to pay their salaries. They should treat them cautiously and respect their personality. They should represent their parents and their families and above all, represent the Police in what they are going to be doing outside as they leave here,” he said.

Highlight of the event was the passing out parade by the successful constables amidst ovation, while goodwill messages were presented by the Army, EFCC, traditional rulers, and religious clerics.

Police staff strength as at 2016 stood at 370, 000, prompting President Mohammadu Buhari to commit his administration to recruiting 10, 000 fresh police officers every year.

The plan is to add 280, 000 police officers to the current number to make the combined strength of the police to be at 650,000.