Recruits at the Nigeria Police Force Training School in Yelwa, Bauchi State, have alleged that they are being forced to pay up to ₦250,000 for uniforms, boots, and other kits that should ordinarily be issued free of charge.
Some of the recruits, who spoke anonymously, described the alleged payments as an unbearable burden on them and their families. They claimed that while uniforms are distributed, the quality is poor, forcing them to spend extra money on replacements and tailoring to meet training requirements.
“What they give us only lasts a few months, so you have to buy new sets with your own money. Failure to do so could jeopardise your training,” one of the recruits told Daily Trust, adding that recruits were barred from buying uniforms outside the school.
Another recruit noted that boots are typically issued only after graduation, leaving many trainees with no choice but to purchase theirs during training. “The charge of ₦250,000 is just too exorbitant,” he said.
The allegations came to light after a legal practitioner, Barrister Lawal Ishaq, raised concern when a woman sought his financial assistance for her son in training at the Bauchi school.
“I called the boy myself, and he confirmed that the money was for uniforms, boots, and jackets. I was shocked because this is a newly recruited constable we are talking about,” Ishaq said. He warned that burdening recruits with such expenses could predispose them to corruption once they join the force.
However, the management of the training school has strongly denied the allegations.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abdullahi Umar Tambuwal, the Commandant of the Bauchi Police Training School, described the claims as false, insisting that all recruits are provided with free uniforms, kits, and three daily meals.
“If such things happen, I don’t know. But it is not true. The uniforms are transported from Abuja to Bauchi, and everything is issued without payment,” Tambuwal said.
With over 700 recruits currently in training, the commandant argued that it was unrealistic to suggest that officers could extort such large sums from them. He nonetheless assured that the allegations would be investigated and warned that any officer found guilty of extortion would face sanctions.
Tambuwal also cautioned parents to ignore what he described as “false claims” and urged recruits not to exploit their families with unfounded financial demands.