Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has urged Nigerian youths not to participate in the nationwide protest planned for August 1-10.

She assured that the Ministry of Police Affairs is dedicated to recruiting 30,000 youths into the police force.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized that President Bola Tinubu has good intentions for Nigerians and is committed to addressing the country’s economic challenges.

Imaan said the ministry has also commenced recruitment of 10,000 youths into the police force for the year 2024. She said that the ministry has improved efforts to address abuse of citizens by certain officers.

She added that the welfare of police officers has taken center stage in the ministry. She explained that protest would not solve the hunger and challenges faced by citizens.

The Minister of State Police Affairs, in a statement on Sunday, called on Nigerian youths to shun the planned protest and give dialogue a chance.

She appealed:-

“Dear young people of Nigeria, as one of your own, I am writing to appeal to your hearts, minds and conscience today.

“While I acknowledge the numerous evolving challenges that drive the desire to protest, the narratives accompanying the planned protest and its faceless nature resemble those that often lead to destruction and chaos, setting our nation back.

“I, therefore, implore you to exercise some patience in this pivotal process poised to birth a prosperous Nigeria of our dreams that we all collectively crave. Consider the power of peaceful engagement, dialogue and collaboration over protest and confrontation.”

Stating the commitment of the Ministry of Police Affairs to addressing police and civilian relations, improving the welfare of police personnel and recruiting youth into the police force, Mrs. Sulaiman-Ibrahim added;

“At the Ministry of Police Affairs, we have made our programs people-centric, and they primarily revolve around our dynamic youths while we strengthen communities, build resilience and help with sustainable coping Mechanisms.

“We have engaged youths and other members of local communities in multiple ongoing town halls, we feel the pulse, we have taken stock, and we have now developed a transformative roadmap for reforming the Nigeria Police Force.

“There is a commitment to recruit over 30,000 young Nigerians into the Force annually over the coming years, and the initial recruitment of 10,000 personnel for 2024 is already at an advanced stage. Welfare of our officers is undergoing review to boost officers’ morale, and you can attest that there is an increasing level of discipline and professionalism in the Force.

“We have also partnered with the Ministry of Youths to create a platform for robust engagement between the NPF and the youth and serve as a grievance reporting channel

“We have strengthened the Police Public Complaint Committee and enhanced the response time of the Complaint Response Unit of the NPF, both key platforms for lodging complaints against police officers from members of the public. We are closely monitoring complaints and ensuring closure in all cases. We urge you to engage with this team for any complaints or challenges relating to the NPF.”