THE SUN
Interest groups across the country are drumming support for the creation of state police in order to arrest the festering insecurity in the land. The renewed clamour for the creation of state police comes as a result of unending widespread kidnapping for ransom and other forms of banditry.
To mitigate rising criminality in different forms, some state governments have resorted to setting up vigilance groups to complement the efforts of security agencies particularly, the Nigeria Police. There have also been regional security outfits like the Amotekun in the South-West and Ebube Agu in the South-East. These outfits were created out of pressure on state governments and regional interest groups to cub insecurity.
In recent times, there have been fresh arguments for and against the creation of state police. While state governors and interest groups particularly from the southern part of Nigeria are rooting for the creation of state police, there seems to be opposition against the idea from the north.
Despite that president Bola Tinubu has not made his position on state police known since he was sworn-in on May 29, 2023, the Inspector- General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected the idea of state police. His position is consistent with the view of his predecessors. However, the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) is in full support of the creation of state and local government police in order to improve security of lives and property in the country.
Secretary-General of the council, Chief Oladipo Oyewole, made this known to Saturday Sun at the end of its recent meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
On the potential abuse of state police by politicians, he said the YCE “is of the considered opinion that the law establishing that particular force should spell-out control measures, which will specify punishment in case of abuse or a semblance of same by anyone in position of control, if proved that the force is manipulated by anyone.”
The council also expressed its satisfaction that advocacy for creation of state police has gained attention of all and sundry, saying: “the council is convinced that it will improve the security of lives and guarantee safety of property.”
“The YCE is firmly of the position that the success of its establishment will begin with the process of the selection of its personnel. The orientation and training they will be given to complement the regular police training school curriculum.
“If properly planned, it may be a permanent solution to insecurity, to invasion, to vagabondage and to insurgency in any and in all parts of Nigeria.”
Afenifere, a prominent Yoruba socio-political organisation, challenged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over his statement that Nigeria is not yet prepared for state police.
The group, under the leadership of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, found the Inspector-General’s remarks bewildering and mind-boggling in the face of insecurity in the country.
Mogaji Gboyega Adejumo, Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, in a chat with Saturday Sun, warned that failure to establish state police within the next five years could have unprecedented consequences that may jeopardise the nation’s unity.
According to him, Afenifere firmly believes that the creation of state and local government police forces, as part of Nigeria’s restructuring, is the key solution to address the escalating security crisis.
Adejumo advised the federal government to approve the creation of state police for states that are ready to establish the sub-national policing system towards strengthening the security architecture of the nation.
READ THE FULL STORY IN THE SUN
