“Nigeria Not Mature” Enough for State Police – IGP
Regardless of the many security threats, the country is not “mature” for state policing, according to IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’ was the theme of Monday’s national forum on state police in Abuja, where he delivered his speech.
“Regarding the matter of state police, it is the belief of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) leadership that the country is not prepared for the creation of a state-controlled police force,” the IGP, who was represented by AIG Ben Okolo, stated at the event hosted by Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The IGP raised concerns about the possibility of power being abused by the state political leadership, among other things.
“Governors of individual states have the power to harm human rights and security by abusing the police forces they command for their own political or personal benefit.
“A conflict of jurisdiction would also exist,” he stated.
Notable figures including Shettima, Jonathan, Abdulsalami, and others gather for a national discussion on state police.
But he had some suggestions for how the police should strengthen national security.
“First, the Federal Road Safety, a division of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, would be established under the Nigerian police,” he announced.
It is necessary, says the police chief, to increase the number of officers recruited each year. Securing Nigeria requires this and other measures, such as more training for police officers.
Despite the difficulties, state police have become “non-negotiable,” according to former president Goodluck Jonathan, who was among the country’s most powerful figures at the occasion.
Despite kidnappings and other crimes, he argued, state police are essential in modern Nigeria.
At the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima joined Jonathan and President Bola Tinubu in pledging to strengthen the country’s police force.
According to him, the principal is prepared to hear the national dialogue’s suggestions.