Insecurity: FG, Governors Consider Establishing State Police
Worried about the country’s security concerns, the federal government and state governors are exploring the establishment of state police.
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu and state governors met at the Presidential Villa in Abuja for talks.
While briefing journalists following the meeting, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, explained that the process is still in its early stages and will only take shape after more deliberations among stakeholders.
“There is currently a discussion over the topic of state police. The Federal Government and state governments are discussing the prospect of establishing state police,” he stated.
“Of course, we will continue to discuss this. A lot of work must be done in that direction. Both the federal and state governments agree on the importance of maintaining state police. This is a substantial shift. However, as previously said, additional work is needed in that direction.
“Many meetings will be required between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals to determine the best ways to achieve this. Now, here are some of the issues that have been addressed.”
As Nigeria faces escalating security threats such as kidnapping and banditry, there has been a call for state police.
Governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform reiterated on Monday their support for state policing as a solution to the country’s deteriorating security situation, saying that Nigeria is “nearly on the road to Venezuela.”
Furthermore, regional sociopolitical organisations including as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum have frequently advocated for state police to address the nation’s growing security concerns.
States in the south-west geopolitical zone have already founded the Amotekun, and their counterparts in the south-east have established the state-owned security group Ebube Agu. The Benue Guards have also been functioning in Benue State in the North Central, while states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and other bandit-prone sub-nationals have formed similar state-established organisations.
However, these organisations have not been as effective as expected because they lack the support of the Federal Government or the Presidency, while states continue to demand that Amotekun, Ebube Agu, and others be granted licences to carry assault rifles such as the AK-47 in order to confront lethal gun-toting marauders.