The Police Service Commission on Wednesday said Adamawa State recorded the highest number of applicants in the ongoing recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, as 616,873 applications were received nationwide.

Of the total applications received, the PSC said 434,604 were qualified for further screening, while 121,596 were unqualified and 60,673 submissions were invalid.

On gender distribution, the service said 442,592 of the applicants were male, while 114,640 were female.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Chairman of the PSC Standing Committee on Police Matters, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (retd), said Adamawa recorded 38,989 applications, followed by Benue with 34,511; Kaduna, 30,397; and Borno, 24,009.

He said, “I am pleased to present to you a summary of applications received: Total applications received: 616,873.

General Duty applicants: 348,974; Specialist applicants: 85,630; Total qualified for further screening: 434,604; Unqualified applicants: 121,596; Invalid submissions: 60,673. In terms of gender distribution, Male applicants: 442,592 and Female applicants: 114,640.

“The final state-by-state analysis shows: States with the highest applications: Adamawa State – 38,989; Benue State, 34,511; Kaduna State, 30,397 and Borno State, 24,009.”

He, however, noted that some states recorded low turnout, with Ebonyi posting 1,667 applications; Anambra, 1,739; Bayelsa, 2,430; and Lagos, 2,448.

“States with the lowest applications, Ebonyi State, 1,667; Anambra State, 1,739; Bayelsa State, 2,430 and Lagos State, 2,448,” he said.

Lakanu explained that at the early stage of the exercise, wide disparities were observed in state participation, prompting the commission, in consultation with the police and other stakeholders, to approve a two-week extension to enable states with low turnout to intensify sensitisation efforts.

He said the intervention yielded positive results and improved participation across the federation.

He said the high number of applications reflected the confidence of Nigerian youths in the police as a career of honour and service.

The PSC boss added that the next phase of the recruitment process—physical screening and verification of credentials—would commence on March 9, 2026.

He disclosed that comprehensive drug integrity tests would be conducted in collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to ensure that only candidates of sound health and proven integrity are admitted.

“Drug users and persons of questionable character will not find their way into the Nigeria Police Force,” Lakanu said.

He added that successful candidates would be posted to designated police colleges for training before deployment to commands and formations for active service.

Lakanu also announced the introduction of a whistle-blowing policy on police recruitment to enable Nigerians report suspected irregularities, assuring that all reports would be treated confidentially and investigated.

He reiterated the commission’s commitment to a transparent, merit-based and inclusive recruitment process in line with the federal character principle.

The application portal for the recruitment exercise, which opened on December 15, 2025, was initially scheduled to close on January 25, 2026, but was extended to February 8, 2026.

The 434,604 qualified applicants would jostle for the 50,000 slots. (PUNCH)

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