The Federal Government and the 36 states of the Federation have agreed on the need to create state police as a means of beefing up security across the country.
This was the highlight of the meeting held on Thursday between President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors at the State House, Abuja.
Briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed, said security improvements nationwide were acknowledged, with a focus on enhancing forest rangers’ numerical strength and exploring the possibility of State Police.
He said further discussion will be held on the issue between government at the centre and the states before sending a bill to that effect to the National Assembly for necessary constitutional amendment.
The Information Minister emphasizing the infancy of the process, saying that the development underscored the alignment between federal and state governments in recognizing the potential necessity for localized law enforcement mechanisms.
He also stressed the need for extensive consultations and dialogues among stakeholders to delineate the modalities of implementing such a significant reform.
The conversation further recognise the inadequacies within the centralized structure of the Nigeria Police Force, which struggles to effectively address the diverse security challenges prevalent across the country’s varied regions.
Proponents of state police have argued that decentralization would foster community-oriented policing, thereby enhancing efficiency and responsiveness. It is believed that such a move could lead to more nuanced and effective strategies tailored to the specific needs of each locality.
But opponents of state police have expressed apprehension over the potential for abuse of power, particularly in regions characterized by entrenched political control, and the prospect of exacerbating existing regional tensions, thereby affecting national cohesion.
Speaking on food crisis, the Information Minister, who spoke in the company of Governors of Plateau, Kaduna and Delta States, disclosed that the National Security Adviser, Director General of State Services, and Inspector General of Police have been directed to collaborate with state governors in addressing hoarding concerns, particularly in the wake of soaring commodity prices.
Mohammed further said that the meeting emphasized the need for enhanced investments in agriculture to combat food shortages, declaring a halt to food importation to broaden Nigeria’s self-sufficiency and potential as a net exporter.
