Felicia Asuquo, Abuja
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun believes that the country is not mature and ready for state policing despite the myriad of security challenges facing the country.
He stated this on Monday during a National dialogue on state police held in Abuja with the theme ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.
The IGP who was represented by AlG Ben Okolo stated that among other factors there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership, stating that there will be conflict of jurisdiction
“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”
“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.
IGP Egbetokun noted that the spite of kidnapping and other crimes makes state police a must-have in present-day Nigeria, but believes that the state police is non negotiable, while suggesting that the country need to be matured and ready for it.
He said “First, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety to form a department under the Nigerian police,” he said.
“The yearly recruitment should reach 30,000 yearly,” the IGP added, calling for more training of police personnel among others.” he submitted.
The event was attended by several top shots in the country including former president Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed the President’s commitment to building a better police force for the country, noting that his principal is ready to listen to submissions from the national dialogue.