Several trainees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the charges were a heavy financial strain on them and their families. According to them, although uniforms are distributed to new recruits, the items are often of such poor quality that they become unusable within a short time, forcing many to purchase replacements out of pocket. Others added that boots are not typically issued until after graduation, even though they are needed during training, leaving recruits with no alternative but to buy their own.
The matter drew public attention after legal practitioner Barrister Lawal Ishaq disclosed that a woman had approached him for assistance because her son in training had requested ₦250,000 for uniforms and boots. Ishaq said he contacted the recruit, who confirmed the request, a revelation he described as both shocking and worrying. The lawyer cautioned that such financial demands could push future police officers toward corrupt practices once they officially join the force.
In response, the commandant of the Bauchi Training School, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdullahi Umar Tambuwal, dismissed the allegations as untrue. He maintained that recruits receive their kits free of charge, along with daily meals, and insisted that it was impossible for officers to extort such large amounts from more than 700 trainees at the facility.
Tambuwal assured that the claims would be thoroughly investigated and pledged that any staff member found guilty of extortion would face disciplinary action. He also advised parents to ignore what he described as false financial requests from their wards.
The allegations have sparked conversations across the country, with many observers arguing that if proven true, such practices could undermine the integrity of police recruitment and fuel corruption within the Nigeria Police Force. The outcome of the investigation is now eagerly awaited.
Allegations of corruption have surfaced at the Nigeria Police Training School in Yelwa, Bauchi State, after some recruits claimed they were compelled to pay as much as ₦250,000 for uniforms, boots, and other training kits.
Several trainees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the charges were a heavy financial strain on them and their families. According to them, although uniforms are distributed to new recruits, the items are often of such poor quality that they become unusable within a short time, forcing many to purchase replacements out of pocket. Others added that boots are not typically issued until after graduation, even though they are needed during training, leaving recruits with no alternative but to buy their own.
The matter drew public attention after legal practitioner Barrister Lawal Ishaq disclosed that a woman had approached him for assistance because her son in training had requested ₦250,000 for uniforms and boots. Ishaq said he contacted the recruit, who confirmed the request, a revelation he described as both shocking and worrying. The lawyer cautioned that such financial demands could push future police officers toward corrupt practices once they officially join the force.
In response, the commandant of the Bauchi Training School, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdullahi Umar Tambuwal, dismissed the allegations as untrue. He maintained that recruits receive their kits free of charge, along with daily meals, and insisted that it was impossible for officers to extort such large amounts from more than 700 trainees at the facility.
Tambuwal assured that the claims would be thoroughly investigated and pledged that any staff member found guilty of extortion would face disciplinary action. He also advised parents to ignore what he described as false financial requests from their wards.
The allegations have sparked conversations across the country, with many observers arguing that if proven true, such practices could undermine the integrity of police recruitment and fuel corruption within the Nigeria Police Force. The outcome of the investigation is now eagerly awaited.
