The creation of state police across the country is set to begin following reached consensus by authorities.
In a bid to improve security in the country following the public outcry on the increase in violent crimes, the Federal Government and governments of the 36 states have resolved to consider the creation of state police.
This development came after an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the presidential villa in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting follows the recent protest against hikes in food prices, economic hardship, and pockets of insecurity recorded nationwide.
Speaking to Journalists after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed that the process is still at the formative stage, stressing that it would only take shape after more deliberations between stakeholders.
“There is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police.
“Of course, there is still going to be further discussion. 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.
“A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and dissolved nationals to see the modalities of achieving this,” the minister stressed.
Recall that debate for the creation of state police has been at the front burner in Nigeria due to the centralised nature of the Nigerian Police Force, which is perceived by many as inadequate for addressing the unique security challenges across the country’s diverse regions.
Those advocating for state police said it would bring law enforcement closer to the communities they serve, enhance the effectiveness of policing, and allow for more localised control over security matters.
However, those against the idea feared that state police could lead to abuse of power, particularly in states with strong political control, potentially exacerbating regional tensions, and undermining national unity.
The minister also disclosed that the government is determined to boost the security in the country and also moot the idea of recruiting a reasonable number of personnel to “improve the numeric strength of forest rangers as well as train them so that they can keep the forests and our borders very safe from bandits.”
