Titus Eleweke, South East Editor
ENUGU, Nigeria – Police College Oji River in Enugu State is one of Nigeria’s ten major police training institutions. Established in 1972, the college specializes in the training of recruit constables for the Nigeria Police Force. Over the years, it has remained a critical center for producing officers expected to confront the country’s numerous security challenges.
The state of the environment raises serious questions about whether the Federal Government fully appreciates the importance of the institution in shaping the mindset and professionalism of police officers who will confront the nation’s security challenges
The college trains recruit constables and contributes significantly to the manpower needs of the Nigeria Police Force. Ideally, such an institution should be modern, well-equipped, and maintained to a high standard, with an environment conducive to learning and professional development.
Regrettably, the reality on ground suggests otherwise, as the college now resembles more of a punishment camp for trainees and instructors than a national training institution.
A recent visit to the college during the passing-out parade of 100 police personnel trained for the Anambra State Police Command would give any concerned observer sleepless nights.
The college lacks many of the modern facilities expected in a public training institution. Numerous abandoned buildings and non-functional facilities dot the premises, reflecting years of neglect.
The state of the environment raises serious questions about whether the Federal Government fully appreciates the importance of the institution in shaping the mindset and professionalism of police officers who will confront the nation’s security challenges.
It is often said that a person is as good as the environment in which he or she is trained. If this maxim holds true, Nigerians should not expect anything exceptional from an institution operating under such deplorable conditions.
For instance, the lawn tennis court within the college has been overtaken by weeds. The squash court building is deroofed and surrounded by overgrown trees and grasses. Even the field where police trainees conduct drills and physical exercises is untidy and poorly maintained. It is difficult to imagine a training ground where even the football pitch is overgrown with weeds during the dry season.
Ordinarily, one would expect that, for the sake of training activities, the dry grasses would be trimmed and the field properly maintained to ensure a safe and suitable environment for physical exercises.
The Mammy Market within the college, which is expected to serve as a basic commercial and social center for trainees and residents, leaves much to be desired. Its condition hardly reflects what should be found in a modern training institution.
By every standard, Police College Oji River is a neglected institution and unfit for the training of police officers who bear the national badge and shoulder critical national responsibilities.
The roads within the college are hardly better than village farm roads, yet many families, including children, reside within the premises.
The level of decay and dilapidation in the college is so alarming that it would not be unreasonable to close the institution temporarily for a comprehensive rehabilitation before reopening it for such an important national purpose as police training.
In many respects, the college resembles an abandoned Federal Government institution occupied by squatters, although the residents themselves are legitimate occupants.
Honestly, it is difficult to expect officers trained in such an environment to develop modern professional perspectives.
The influence of the environment on trainees is unlikely to be positive. No matter how much is invested in the curriculum or training programs, if the environment is not conducive, the likelihood of producing poorly prepared personnel for the Police Force increases.
However, there is some encouraging news. Reports indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set up a committee headed by the Governor of Enugu State to oversee the rehabilitation of the college. This development offers a glimmer of hope that the institution may soon receive the attention it urgently requires.
It is therefore important for the committee to step up action immediately in order to rescue the college from total collapse.
Investigations by our reporter also revealed that snakes and other reptiles are commonly sighted within the college, especially during the rainy season.
Disturbed by the level of decay and dilapidation, the Deputy Commandant of the college, CP Uduak Out Ita, called on the Anambra State Government and other governors in the South-East to come to the aid of the institution.
She urged them to assist the college in the rehabilitation of roads and other critical infrastructure.
Reiterating the Deputy Commandant’s appeal, the Commandant of the college, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Emmanuel Simon, also urged the Executive Governor of Anambra State and other South-East governors to take a special interest in the institution.
According to him:“It is our sincere appeal that the regional police college responsible for the training of police personnel who contribute to the safety of this region should be given urgent structural attention.”
He noted that the condition of the roads and other structures within the college requires immediate intervention to create a better learning environment and boost the morale of trainees.
When asked by our reporter what specific areas he would like the governors to focus on, he responded that they should first visit the college and assess the situation themselves.
“The governors should come and look at the structures first and know where to start. My speech is explicit on that,” he said.
The Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, in his opening remarks as Master of Ceremony during the passing-out parade, also called for improvements at the college.
According to him, the institution faces numerous challenges.
“We want to use Oji River as an opportunity to reach out to other authorities regarding the welfare of personnel and the condition of the college,” he said.
The Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Security, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (rtd), who represented the governor at the parade, expressed concern over the condition of the college.
Clearly disturbed by the environment, he reiterated the importance of a conducive training environment.
“The quality of the environment has a lot to do with the quality of the people trained there. You are as good as the environment where you are trained,” he said.
He commended the Commandant and Deputy Commandant for their efforts despite the difficult circumstances.
“I appreciate the Commandant and the Deputy Commandant. I know you are not swimming in wealth and riches here. It takes resilience and patience to continue working under these conditions,” he added.
