During a national dialogue on state police held in Abuja with the theme ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), represented by AIG Ben Okolo, expressed his views on Monday.
“The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) believes that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” the IGP stated at the event organized by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The IGP highlighted concerns about the potential abuse of power by state political leaders, stating that “state governors could exploit police forces under their control for political or personal gain, thus compromising human rights and security.”
In proposing alternatives to enhance policing, he suggested integrating the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps into a department within the Nigerian police.
The police chief emphasized the importance of increasing the annual recruitment of officers and providing additional training for police personnel as crucial steps in securing Nigeria.
Despite the challenges, former President Goodluck Jonathan emphasized the necessity of state police, considering the prevalence of crimes like kidnapping in contemporary Nigeria.
The event, graced by several prominent figures including Vice President Kashim Shettima, also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to reforming and strengthening the police force.