No fewer than 9,975 applicants turned up for the ongoing recruitment screening into the Nigeria Police Force in Calabar, highlighting the intense competition for government jobs amid rising youth unemployment.
The large turnout was recorded during the physical and credential verification stage of the 2025/2026 police constable recruitment exercise, part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
Officials disclosed that only 1,170 candidates from Cross River State will eventually be selected for the next stage of the recruitment process, leaving thousands of hopeful applicants competing for a limited number of slots.
The positions are expected to be distributed across the 18 local government areas of Cross River State, with roughly 65 successful candidates likely to emerge from each council area if the allocation is evenly shared.
The overwhelming turnout underscores the growing demand for stable employment among Nigerian youths, particularly in the public sector where jobs are considered more secure.
Many applicants traveled from different parts of the state to participate in the screening exercise, which included physical fitness checks, documentation verification, and other preliminary assessments required for entry into the police force.
Recruitment officials reiterated that the exercise is strictly merit-based and free of charge, warning applicants not to fall victim to fraudsters who may demand money in exchange for recruitment assistance.
Candidates were encouraged to report any individual attempting to compromise the process.
The screening exercise forms part of a broader national recruitment drive by the Nigeria Police Force aimed at bringing tens of thousands of new constables into the system to bolster manpower and improve policing across the country.
Security analysts say expanding the police workforce remains crucial as Nigeria continues to confront complex security challenges ranging from kidnapping and banditry to organized crime.
For the thousands of hopeful applicants gathered in Calabar, however, the immediate challenge remains clear only a fraction will make the final list in one of the most competitive recruitment exercises in recent years.
ELIJAH ADEYEMI
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