Ahead of the recruitment of 50,000 constables, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has vowed that candidates with verified histories of drug addiction and questionable character would not find their way into the Nigeria Police Force.

The commission also announced that 616,873 candidates across the country applied for the exercise, comprising 542,592 males and 114,640 females.

Briefing journalists yesterday in Abuja, Chairman of the PSC’s Committee on Police Matters, DIG Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), explained that after rigorous processes, 434,604 qualified for further screening, with 60,673 being invalid applicants.

A state-by-state analysis saw Adamawa coming tops with 38,989 applicants; followed by Benue with 34,511; Borno had 24,009, while Ebonyi posted the least number of applicants, recording 1,667; Anambra produced 1739, Bayelsa, 2,430, while Lagos had 2,448 candidates.

Lakanu, who further explained that successful candidates would proceed on a Computer-based examination, medical and comprehensive drug integrity tests to be conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), added that the low turnout from some states spoke to their peculiar sentiments.