By Abiola Olawale
The Federal Government, alongside the 36 state governors have begun steps for possible creation of state police.
This was discussed at the emergency meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu, involving the state governors, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike; and Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, at the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday.
Speaking after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the idea was considered as a possible solution to the insecurity challenge facing the country.
Though Idris clarified that the process is still in its infancy he added that more deliberations between stakeholders would take place.
In his words, “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.
“Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. But if our government and the state governments agree to the necessity of having state police, this is a significant shift.
“Like I said, more work needs to be done in that direction. A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and dissolved nationals to see the modalities of achieving this.”
The New Diplomat reports that the idea for the creation of state police in Nigeria had been on the table for a while. Many had argued that the decentralisation of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), will address the unique security challenges across the country’s diverse regions.
However, some Nigerians had also kicked against the idea on the grounds that state police could lead to abuse of power, particularly in states with strong political control.
