Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police, believes that devolving police powers to states is premature, given the country’s current security woes.
On Monday, IGP Kayode Egbetokun shared his thoughts at a national dialogue on state police in Abuja, which focused on “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 the event organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The IGP argued among other factors, that “there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership.
“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.
“There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction,” he said.
However, he proposed alternative solutions to enhance the police’s effectiveness in securing the nation.
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“First, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety to form a department under the Nigerian police,” he said.
To effectively secure Nigeria, the IGP stressed the need for a significant boost in yearly police recruitment, combined with comprehensive training programs for officers.
At the gathering, which drew several high-profile attendees, Goodluck Jonathan, the former president, declared that state police is now an indispensable requirement, despite the obstacles.
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He argued that the prevalence of kidnapping and other criminal activities makes state police an indispensable necessity in today’s Nigeria.
In addition to Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the event, where he reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s pledge to create a more effective and efficient police force for Nigeria.
Vice President Kashim Shettima assured that President Bola Tinubu is receptive to feedback and ideas emerging from the national dialogue.