The Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday said it shortlisted 338,227 applicants out of the 911,438 that applied for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force.

Chairman of the Commission, Mr Mike Okiro, who disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja, said screening of successful applicants would begin on June 6 in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

Okiro explained that 44,661 were shortlisted for cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) , 87,736 for cadet Inspector and 205,830 for Police Constables.

“I would like to emphasise that the initial shortlisting of applicants was done electronically. Invitation letters were also sent to successful applicants through SMS and to their personal email addresses,’’ he said.

He, however, warned applicants against fake letters from criminal elements, stressing that the invitation states the date for each person’s screening and venue of the screening.

He said applicants will be grouped according to their local government areas and a date fixed for their screening.

This is to avoid overcrowding the venue and also for meticulous exercise, he stated.

He warned that no applicant would be admitted into any venue or appear on any date other than those allocated to him or her.

Okiro added that after the screening, successful candidates would be invited to a zonal screening to be held in the 12 police zonal headquarters in the country.

He said the national interview would be held in Abuja, where those who were successful at the zonal screening would be interviewed.

He noted that the Commission had been transparent since the filling and submission of forms started, saying “I want to re-emphasis that the Commission will be guided by the rules and will be fair, transparent and ensure that the process is merit-driven.

“As a commission, we have collectively and individually swore to make this project a huge success.

“The Nigeria Police needs the best, especially now that the nation is engaged in several battles.’’

In a remark, Mr Femi Adenaike, Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of training, said all training schools and colleges  have been rehabilitated.

A total of 262,426 applicants applied for cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), 211,832 applied for Cadet Inspector and 437,144 for Police Constables.

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the recruitment of 10,000 into the nation’s Police Force to reinforce the police for better service.