Nigeria not ripe for State Police, IGP insists

.Says Govs could use Police Force under them for political, personal gains

.We can’t have adequate security without State Policing – Jonathan

By Tom Okpe

The Inspector of General of Police, (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun, has said the country is not ripe for State Policing, insisting that State Governors will use them for political gains against enemies.

He noted that rather than creating the State Police structure, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should be merged as a Department under the Nigeria Police Force, (NPF).

Egbetokun stated this in his remarks at the National Dialogue on State Policing, organised by the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, (PLAC) held in Abuja on Monday.

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Represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Ben Okolo, Egbetokun said the yearly police recruitment should be increased by at least 30,000 to meet the United Nations, (UN) ratio, calling for increased budgetary allocations to the Police Force for effective training of personnel in modern policing, to enhance efficiency and amendment of the 1999 Constitution for more empowerment and funding, which is the lead internal security agency.

He said: “If State Police is established, Governors will use the structure under their control for political or personal gains, undermining human rights and security, so creating State Police at the moment will exacerbate ethnic tension in the country.”

The Inspector IG further said the agitations for State Police were informed by the perception that the Police Force is not leaving up to its responsibility, a development caused by a motley of challenges militating against it.

“Major challenges of the nation’s Police Force are inadequate manpower, operational equipment; arms and ammunition, surveillance equipment, inadequate training due to poor funding as well as inadequate office and barracks accommodations.

“Most police stations and barracks that were built over the years in the colonial period have not undergone any renovation, despite increase in the strength of the Force. These have impacted negatively on the performance of the personnel.

“Yearly Police recruitment should be increased by at least 30,000 to meet the United Nations requirements. Increase in the budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Police Force. Effective training of personnel in modern Policing to enhance efficiency,” he stated.

In his remarks, former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan opined that the country can never be secured without State Policing, saying it’s not the issue of debate but, its operations.

He said during the National Confab in 2014, the issue of State Police came up and all delegates supported it, alongside other proposed security measures.

The former President also noted that while the issue of State Police is being discussed, other measures must also be taken into consideration to make the country better, saying that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) operations must be reshuffled, while the use of Police during elections must be completely removed as it is applicable in other countries in Africa.

He said: “The laws must be strong to eliminate the lacuna that may provide political actors to misuse the State Police in their favour or intimidate political opponents.”

Similarly, the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, observed that while State Police is essential for local security, it has the potential for political interference and human rights abuse.

He said: “Establishment of State Police is not without its demerits; one of them is political interference. Oversight and accountability are paramount and must be put in place to ensure the interference is reduced. An implementation roadmap is essential for successful operation.”

Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), General Christopher Musa, said it was through collaboration and a shared commitment to the common good that the country can develop policies and strategies that will enhance its security infrastructure.

Gen Musa, represented by Maj-Gen Adekunle Ariyibi, said the need for a comprehensive and responsive security framework that includes the establishment of State Police was undeniable.

“I encourage all of us to approach these deliberations with an open mind, to engage in constructive dialogue, and consider the diverse perspectives that will be shared.

“This dialogue presents an opportunity for us to engage in constructive and open discussions, to share perspectives, and collectively, chart a path forward.

“It’s through collaboration and understanding that we can develop policies and strategies that will enhance the security infrastructure of our nation,” he added.