Despite the country’s numerous security difficulties, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, believes it is not “mature” for state policing.
He addressed on Monday at a national forum on state police held in Abuja under the theme ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.
“On the issue of state police, it is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” the IGP, represented by AIG Ben Okolo, said at an event hosted by Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The IGP argued, among other things, that “there is a risk of abuse of power by state political leadership.”
“State governors may use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain, jeopardizing human rights and security.”
“There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction,” he added.
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He proposed additional measures to improve the police’s role in national security.
“First, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety to form a department under the Nigerian police,” the minister stated.
According to the police chief, there is also a need to increase the annual recruitment of officers. This, along with additional police training, is critical to Nigeria’s security.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, however, feels that despite the problems, state police has become “non-negotiable” at a ceremony attended by several top officials in the country.
He stated that, despite kidnapping and other crimes, state police are essential in today’s Nigeria.
In addition to Jonathan, Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the ceremony and expressed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to establishing a better police force for the country.
He stated that his principle is willing to listen to submissions from the national discourse.
