‎Police Won’t Recruit Repentant Criminals, Terrorists — DIG Isyaku Warns ‎

‎The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North-Central Zone, Isyaku Mohammed, has declared that the Nigeria Police Force will not recruit repentant criminals, terrorists or individuals with criminal records, warning community leaders against endorsing such persons for enlistment.
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‎Speaking on Thursday at a stakeholders’ security meeting in Ilorin, Kwara State, Mohammed urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, divisional police officers and other community stakeholders to ensure that individuals with criminal backgrounds are neither recommended nor cleared for recruitment into the police or other security agencies.
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‎The meeting brought together officers and personnel of the Kwara State Police Command, traditional rulers, religious leaders, transport union representatives and other stakeholders to discuss security challenges and collaborative solutions.
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‎Mohammed said the police had strengthened measures to prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the force, stressing that neither repentant criminals nor other persons of questionable character would be admitted into the institution.
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‎”The only thing we can do is to protect our territory and ensure that such repented people do not find their way into the Nigeria Police,” he said.
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‎He appealed to stakeholders to expose rather than shield individuals with criminal histories, insisting that public cooperation is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the police.
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‎Reflecting on his experience in the North-East, the DIG recalled that although some former Boko Haram members underwent rehabilitation under the Federal Government’s deradicalisation programme, many communities resisted their reintegration.
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‎The Cable report that the DIG further cautioned traditional rulers and divisional police officers against recommending persons with known criminal records, regardless of claims of repentance.
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‎Mohammed also announced plans to inaugurate a joint border patrol across Kwara State’s boundary corridors with Ekiti, Oyo, Kogi and Niger states, as well as the Republic of Benin, to curb cross-border crime and enhance regional security.
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‎According to him, the initiative aligns with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, mandating Deputy Inspectors-General to engage stakeholders across their zones, assess security threats and develop practical solutions.
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‎The DIG also advocated stronger community policing, timely intelligence sharing and increased youth engagement, describing them as essential strategies for preventing crime and promoting sustainable security.
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