Fresh allegations have rocked the Nigeria Police Force Training School in Yelwa, Bauchi State, as some recruits claimed they were being forced to pay as much as ₦250,000 for uniforms, boots, and kits that are supposed to be issued free of charge.
Some of the recruits, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the financial demand as a huge burden on them and their families.
Omo, this one pain oo – imagine hustling to join the police only to be asked for ₦250k before you even graduate!
The Allegations
According to reports, several recruits said they were compelled to purchase multiple uniforms and kits because the ones provided were allegedly of poor quality.
“What they give us only lasts a few months, so you have to buy new sets with your own money. Failure to do so could jeopardise your training,” one recruit explained.
Another recruit added that boots are often issued only after graduation, forcing them to buy their own during training.
They also alleged that uniforms could only be purchased through the school, meaning they had no choice but to comply with the directive.
A Lawyer Raises Alarm
Legal practitioner Barrister Lawal Ishaq first raised concerns after a woman approached him for financial help. She claimed her son, a recruit at the Bauchi training school, requested ₦250,000 for uniforms and jackets.
Ishaq confirmed that he personally spoke to the boy, who admitted the money was for kits. He described the situation as shocking, warning that placing such financial burdens on recruits could encourage corruption once they graduate and assume official duties.
Management Denies Claims
In response, the Commandant of the Bauchi Police Training School, ACP Abdullahi Umar Tambuwal, dismissed the allegations as false.
He insisted that all recruits receive their uniforms, kits, and even three daily meals at no cost.
“If such things happen, I don’t know. But it is not true. All students receive their uniforms and kits free of charge. The uniforms are transported from Abuja to Bauchi, and everything is issued without payment,” Tambuwal said.
He also stressed that with over 700 recruits in training, it was unrealistic to suggest officers could successfully extort such large sums from them.
Investigation Promised
Despite rejecting the claims, Tambuwal assured that the matter would be investigated thoroughly. He also warned that any officer found guilty of extortion would face sanctions.
At the same time, he cautioned parents to ignore what he described as “false demands” from recruits who may be using the allegations to obtain money from their families.
Final Word
The allegations have sparked heated debate, with many Nigerians questioning whether recruits are truly facing undue financial pressures or if the situation has been exaggerated.
Omo, whichever way e be, one thing is clear – if new police officers are already crying out at the training stage, Nigerians are worried about what this means for integrity once they hit the streets in uniform.
