States seeking own police must show capacity to fund them — Gbajabiamila

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said states seeking to establish their own police forces must demonstrate sufficient financial capacity to sustain operations, salaries and training.

According to TheCable, Gbajabiamila made the statement on Monday during the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit.

“A state taking on policing must be able to sustain the service after the initial purchase of vehicles and uniforms,” he said.

He stressed that regular salaries and continuous training were essential to preventing corruption and maintaining professionalism.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that 24 state houses of assembly had approved the constitutional amendment required for state policing as of October 23.

He added that a presidential working group had submitted a draft national policing bill and 29 consequential amendment bills to the federal ministry of justice.

The presidential aide assured Nigerians that the proposed framework would include independent oversight and safeguards against political abuse.

He maintained that federal policing would continue in states unable to establish their own forces.