Ebonyi records lowest applications in 50,000 police constable recruitment

 

Ebonyi State has recorded the lowest number of applications 1,667 in the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables, according to the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Other states with low application figures include Anambra State with 1,739, Bayelsa State with 2,430, and Lagos State with 2,448.

At the top of the list, Adamawa State recorded the highest number of applications at 38,989. It was followed by Benue State with 34,511, Kaduna State with 30,397, and Borno State with 24,009.

Speaking at the PSC headquarters in Abuja, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police Taiwo Lakanu, who chairs the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, disclosed that a total of 616,873 applications were received before the recruitment portal closed on February 8, 2026. The eight-week exercise began on December 15, 2025.

Lakanu expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the recruitment of 50,000 additional personnel into the Nigeria Police Force, describing it as a bold step toward strengthening internal security.

He also commended the collaboration between the PSC, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Police Affairs, and the Federal Character Commission, noting that inter-agency cooperation was vital to the success of the exercise.

A breakdown of the applications shows that 348,974 candidates applied for General Duty positions, while 85,630 applied as specialists. Of the total applications, 434,604 candidates qualified for further screening, 121,596 were disqualified, and 60,673 submissions were invalid.

In terms of gender distribution, 442,592 applicants were male, while 114,640 were female.

Lakanu acknowledged the disparity in participation across states, explaining that the commission extended the application deadline by two weeks to allow states with low turnout to improve sensitisation and mobilisation efforts. He said the intervention yielded positive results and maintained that the overall distribution aligns with the Federal Character principle.

With the application phase concluded, physical screening and verification of credentials will commence on March 9, 2026, across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Successful candidates will proceed to computer-based examinations, medical checks, and comprehensive drug integrity tests in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

Lakanu stressed that individuals with drug-related issues or questionable character would not be admitted into the force. Successful applicants will undergo training at designated police colleges before deployment for active service.