The Sokoto State Police Command has called on young people across the state to take full advantage of an extended window for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, following a fresh directive from the Police Service Commission.

The Commission has granted an additional two weeks for applications, shifting the closing date from January 25 to February 8, 2026. Officials say the extension is aimed at improving equal representation and achieving a more balanced spread of successful candidates across all states.

Speaking in Sokoto, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the Command is determined to ensure that Sokoto does not fall short of its recruitment quota as the nationwide exercise enters a decisive phase.

“We are calling on eligible sons and daughters of Sokoto State to seize this opportunity and apply. This is a rare and noble chance to serve our nation and contribute to the safety and security of our communities,” Rufai said, urging traditional rulers, community leaders and parents to encourage qualified youths to step forward.

Rufai stressed that the entire recruitment process is free of charge and conducted exclusively online. He warned applicants to be wary of fraudsters who pose as intermediaries or claim to have influence over the selection process.

“No individual, group or association has been authorised to collect money or intervene in this recruitment. Anyone making such promises is attempting to defraud the public,” he cautioned.

The ongoing recruitment is part of a broader national effort to boost manpower in the Nigeria Police Force amid persistent security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping and communal clashes. Years of retirements, redeployments and an expanding security burden have left gaps in both operational and administrative units.

Previous recruitment cycles revealed that some states, particularly in the North-West and South-East, recorded relatively low application figures, which in turn affected their final representation in the Force. The current extension is intended to correct that imbalance.

In Sokoto, where rural communities and border areas have faced repeated attacks by armed groups, security remains a central concern for authorities. Analysts argue that recruiting more officers from local communities can strengthen intelligence gathering and deepen trust between residents and law enforcement.

Rufai said youths from all 23 Local Government Areas of Sokoto State are expected to submit their applications through the Police Service Commission portal, adding that the Command wants the state to be “fully and adequately represented” in the new intake.

He advised interested candidates to complete their online applications before the new closing date of February 8, 2026.