"Nigeria Not Ripe for State Police," Says IGP Egbetokun, Security Expert Disagrees, Explains
- At the moment, state governments do not have the financial wherewithal to create a police force that will meet national standard
- This was the argument of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun in Abuja on Monday, April 22
- IGP Egbetokun also opined that creating state police will bring about divided loyalty apart from the claim that some governors will use the police in their domains for political interests
- However, Dr Abubakar Sani, a security expert, disagreed with the IGP, saying he strongly believes that only the federal police is incapable of properly policing the country.
Abuja - Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has given the position of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on state policing.
During a one-day dialogue on the issue in Abuja on Monday, April 22, IGP Egbetokun said Nigeria is not ripe for state policing.
Source: Twitter
The IGP noted that the establishment of state police would spike ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states.
In a statement released by AIG Ben Okolo who represented him, Egbetokun said the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures across Nigeria.
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Also, the NPF's boss during the dialogue attended by many Nigerian dignitaries, pointed out that state governors are likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, a situation that will gender human rights violations and unrest in the polity.
He believes that the state government does not have enough to fund the type of policing that Nigeria needs
As an alternative, Egbetokun recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to form a department in the force.
He also said there is a need for annual recruitment of not less than 30,000 police personnel into the force annually to meet the United Nations' requirements for modern policing.
State police: Security disagrees with IGP Egbetokun
Reacting to IGP Egbetokun's position, Dr Abubakar Sani said he strongly believes that Nigeria needs another police other than the one controlled by the federal government.
"This is because the federal police are incapable of properly policing the country," Sani, a public affairs and security analyst and SSA to former Army Chief T.Y Buratai, told Legit.ng.
He added:
"Nevertheless, instead of the State of police, I will prefer or advocate for county or LGA police because that's where the bulk of the problem is; it's at the local government level.
"In as much as we need another formation of police other than the federal police, I don't think it's a good idea to create state police and put them under the control of State governors. At the moment, the governors have hijacked the financial resources of the LGAs, which has rendered the LGA useless.
"Imagine if we give them the power to control police of their own! They will abuse it because, in the first instance, they hijacked the financial resources of the LGA and failed to provide public goods and safety to the LGA. This is the cause of the insecurity across the country.
"So, if states want to control police, they must relinquish this Joint Account ( JAC) scam they are hiding under the plunder of the LGAs; it is only then that we can allow or agree with the idea of State policing."
Easter holiday: IGP Egbetokun issues fresh directives
Recall that Egbetokun had issued a directive on Thursday, March 28, ordering increased security measures in public areas nationwide.
He emphasised the police force's dedication to safeguarding citizens and visitors during Easter festivities.
Furthermore, he instructed State Commissioners of Police (CPs) and their overseeing Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) to deploy officers and resources to potential security risk zones within their jurisdictions.
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Source: Legit.ng
Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.
Dr Abubakar Sani (Public affairs and security analyst) Dr Abubakar Sani is a public affairs and security analyst. He is an SSA to former Army Chief, T.Y Buratai. He is a Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CAS) and a researcher of international repute.
