The polity was divided, yesterday, over the clamour for state police in Nigeria as leaders brainstormed at a one-day national dialogue on state policing organised by the House of Representatives, Vanguard newspaper reports.
While some leaders backed state police, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, disagreed, countering that Nigeria was not ready or mature for it because it was open to abuse by governors.
President Bola Tinubu, who flagged the dialogue open, urged participants to consider the implications of state police.
Some called on the government to address the nagging and welfare challenges of the central police before adopting state police.
Those who endorsed state police include former President Goodluck Jonathan; Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi among others.
They spoke as President Tinubu described as unwavering his administration’s resolve to reform the Nigeria Police Force and enhance security across the country, noting that the idea of state policing is not just a mere policy proposal but also a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework.
Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, suggested that the complaints made by the IGP on the challenges of policing, such as welfare, funding, and equipment of the personnel should be addressed before considering state police.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio said for state police to work, it must be free from religious extremism, and ethnic and tribal sentiments.
The IGP, who was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General of police, said Nigeria is not ready for a decentralised police force.
“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature for the establishment of state-controlled police,” he said, noting that “there have been renewed calls for the establishment of state police, following an uptick in kidnappings, banditry and violent attacks across the country.”
Recall that on February 15, the Federal Government set up a committee to explore the creation of state police, amid the spate of insecurity in the country.
Consequently, on February 20, a bill to establish state police passed a second reading in the House of Representatives.
The IGP said rather than create state police, the challenges mitigating against effective policing in Nigeria should be addressed.
He listed some of the challenges as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment, such as vehicles, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, drones, aerial surveillance cameras, security surveillance helicopters, armoured vehicles, and inadequate training of personnel.
“These challenges have impacted negatively on the performance of police personnel,” he lamented.
He warned that state police will be open to abuse by powerful state governors, saying “there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership. State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and compromise human rights and security.
“There would be a conflict of jurisdiction” and therefore proposed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, should be merged to become a department in the police.
He said the recruitment of police personnel into the force should be increased by at least 30,000 annually to meet the minimum policing standard of the United Nations.
Egbetokun’s stance is in contrast to that of Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, Minister of Police Affairs, who backed the establishment of state police.
Senator Gaidam said a more decentralised police force will help tackle rising insecurity in the country.
“It is clearly imperative to come together to discuss these critical issues and work towards finding sustainable solutions that will ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians.
“As we gather here today, our objective is clear, to explore ways and means of addressing these issues, including the possibility of establishing the state police force, to combat the seeming unending crises.
‘’I am here to highlight the merits and challenges of implementing state police in Nigeria. I will emphasize that state police can enhance local exclusiveness,” he said.
Declaring the event open, President Tinubu observed that the idea of state policing is not just a mere policy proposal but also a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework that will create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner that will closely address the various demands of communities across the country.
Urging participants to consider the implications of state police, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted that his administration is aware of the complex security issues confronting Nigeria, and as such is continually developing and refining its strategies and methods to address the challenges effectively.
“The commitment of the administration of President Tinubu to reform the police force and enhance security at both the national and state levels is unwavering.
“We view the outcomes of today’s deliberations as crucial inputs that will guide the government’s actions towards reforming the institution of the police and achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria,” he said.
Senator Shettima implored participants at the event to look at the idea of state policing from multiple angles, saying: “In our deliberations, let us consider the implications of state policing from multiple perspectives. We must evaluate its potential to improve response times to emergencies, adapt to specific local challenges, and increase accountability. At the same time, we must address concerns related to the standardisation of training, oversight, and the safeguarding of civil liberties.
“Our dialogue today should also be seen as an opportunity to listen, understand, and propose solutions that bridge gaps. It is essential that this forum is not the end but the beginning of an ongoing conversation on the issue of police and security sector reform in our country.”
Shettima expressed delight that the 10th House of Representatives under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas keyed into the idea of state policing, noting that “the involvement of the legislature in executive reform proposals ensures continuity and synergy.
“Let us use this opportunity to engage and explore every option with the seriousness and diligence they demand. The President is committed to listening to your recommendations and insights, invaluable to shaping the policies that will lead us toward a more secure and just society,” he added.
