To tackle the growing security issues in Nigeria, 16 state governors have expressed their support for the creation of state police.
This information was disclosed in a report presented at the 140th meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC), chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, held virtually.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, relayed this information to the State House Correspondents in a virtual briefing after the council meeting. While 20 state governors and the administrator of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are yet to state their positions, the supportive governors also called for a thorough review of the Nigerian Constitution to potentially enable this change.
The call for state police is a response to the severe security situation in the country, characterized by widespread kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities that have strained the capacity of the federal police force.
The NEC also discussed the findings of the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, headed by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State. The committee’s report emphasized the significant areas of oil leakage in the industry and stressed the need for political will to implement substantial reforms.
The demand for state policing has been a long-standing one from various groups, including governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who reiterated as early as February 12 that state policing is vital for addressing the country’s worsening security situation.
Likewise, regional socio-political organizations such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum have consistently advocated for the introduction of state police as a solution to the country’s security problems.
In an attempt to alleviate the concerns of increasing insecurity, states in the South-West have established the Amotekun security outfit, while the South-East introduced Ebube Agu. The North Central state of Benue has launched the Benue Guards, and states affected by banditry, like Katsina and Zamfara, have also formed their security formations.
However, these regional security outfits’ effectiveness has been limited due to the absence of federal support, especially the authorization to carry assault rifles like AK-47s, which is considered necessary to fight heavily armed criminals.
