Worried about security concerns in Nigeria, 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.
“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The Federal Government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police,” he said.
“Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. Both the federal government and the state governments agree on the necessity of having state police. This is a significant shift. But, as I said, more work needs to be done in that direction.
“A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals to see the modalities of achieving this. Now, these are some of the issues that have been discussed.”
Governors of Kwara, Imo, and Abia and Deputy Governors of Oyo and Bauchi states during the meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
Quest For State Police
There has been a clamour for state police as Nigeria grapples with worsening security challenges such as kidnapping and banditry.
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Monday restated their position on state policing, as the solution to the country’s worsening security situation, lamenting that Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela.”
Also, regional socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have repeatedly called for state police as the solution to the myriad of increasing security challenges confronting the nation.
Already, states in the south-west geopolitical zone have formed Amotekun, while their counterparts in the south-east have also created the state-owned security outfit Ebube Agu. The Benue Guards have also been operational in Benue State in the North Central, while states like Katsina, Zamfara, and other bandit-prone sub-nationals have also come up with similar state-established outfits.
However, these outfits have not been as effective as anticipated as they don’t have the backing of the Federal Government or the Presidency, while states continue to demand that Amotekun, Ebube Agu, and others are granted licenses to bear assault rifles like AK-47s to confront lethal gun-toting marauders.
