The Nigeria Police Force has shortlisted about 171,956 successful applicants into recruitment.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) made the announcement on Thursday while stating that  these applicants will undergo the 2024 March 5th Computer Based Test, which will take place across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

The PSC's Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. The recruitment process attracted a total of 288,266 applicants who completed forms for the recruitment of constables within a week after the online portal opened in October 2023.

Out of the final total of 547,774 applications received before the portal's closure, the PSC rejected 188,874 applicants. Among them, the commission also rejected 84,606 for being average, while 358,900 were successful.

Following a meeting of the Police Recruitment Board on Tuesday, February 13th, 2024, the PSC approved that the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) should conduct the Computer-Based Tests for the Police applicants due to its long-standing pedigree in such examinations.

For the General Duty cadre, the PSC has invited 315,114 applicants for the screening exercise, with 171,956 successful candidates shortlisted for the JAMB CBT. This includes 25,818 females and 146,138 males.

Adamawa State will present the highest number of candidates for the tests with 13,780, followed by Kaduna with 12,343, Bauchi with 10,911, Benue with 10,532, and Katsina with 10,457. Anambra State has the least candidates with 343 applicants, followed by Lagos with 504, and Ebonyi with 600. Successful candidates from the Computer-Based Tests will undergo medical examinations before proceeding to training.

The Chairman of the Commission and former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon Arase CFR. stated that the Commission is on course to conclude this exercise promptly, ensuring that successful candidates can be quickly integrated into the system to enhance the fight against insurgency and banditry. 

Arase commended President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to strengthen and reinvigorate the Police Force, emphasizing the PSC's commitment to a citizen-oriented and friendly Police, properly trained and equipped to provide inspiring leadership in the nation's internal security.