Vice President Kashim Shettima and former President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, April 22, canvassed for national focus on the workability of State Police by addressing concerns about the likely abuse of the process.
In the same vein, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, warned politicians not to exert undue influence on the State Police when eventually adopted by the country, just as he canvassed a role for the traditional rulers in addressing the security challenges in the country.
But Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has poured cold water on the agitation and workability of State Police, saying that Nigeria is not “mature” yet for it.
They spoke at a national dialogue on State Police organised by the House of Representatives as part of efforts to pass the state police bill currently before the House. It had as theme: “Pathway to Peace: Reimagine Policing in Nigeria.”
Vice President Shettima, who assured of the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to addressing the security challenges in the country, said the President was waiting for the recommendations from the dialogue.
He stated that “the President is committed to listening to your recommendations and insights invariable to share in the policies that would lead us to a more secure and good society.
“The concept of State policing is not merely a policy for the proposal but a potential milestone of revolution of our law enforcement framework. It offers the possibility of catering to the diverse needs of our communities.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan said the issue of State Police was no longer negotiable as it was a done deal AS as there was no way any State could have adequate security without State Police.
Stating that some States have successfully experimented with State Police even during the current democratic dispensation, he noted that what should be of concern at the moment is the operational model the system would take.
Jonathan said: “The issue today is very critical. One thing is that we don’t need to debate whether we should have State Police or not. I think that matter has been concluded. The issue is the operations of the Police.
“I was a Governor. I operated at the State level for eight years as Deputy Governor and the Governor and got to the centre, Vice President, and President for another eight years. I know that in Bayelsa and other States that attempted to have some element of security, the issue of State Police worked very well.
“In Bayelsa State, when we took over, the State was almost ungovernable. Abdulsalami would remember that when elections were to be conducted in December 1998, the security situation was so bad that our elections were pushed to January 1999.
“When we took over, the State was in crisis. Niger Delta agitation was there. The criminal elements were also operating in the creeks and were causing issues for market women and others until Alamieyesigha then the Governor, set up the Bayelsa Volunteers that worked with the Police.
“We built stations around parts of the creeks. and the boys volunteered to work with the Police and that brought the situation down. So there is no way we can manage internal security if States would not have their Police.
“But how would the State Police function vis-a vis the national security architecture? When I set up the 2014 national dialogue, we had lots of challenges in the country. People were agitating in so many areas. But one thing that the almost 500 delegates agreed upon without much ado was the issue of State Police.
“When that issue came up, everyone supported the issue of State Police. So we cannot move away from State Police. The issue of State Police was accepted. The issue of National Border Force was also accepted and the issue of Coast Guard was also accepted. So, the National Assembly, while debating or conducting public hearings on State Police, these issues of National Border Force must be considered. Yes, the Immigration and Customs carry out border controls, but they cannot play the role of National Border Force. When we have a National BorderForce, we will be able to contain these enemies.”
Meanwhile, The Inspector General of POlice, who was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), said the leadership of the Police Force has resolved that Nigeria is yet to be ripe for State Police.
Stating that since the national Police Force has made a stand, Nigeria is not ready for the establishment of State Police.
“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of State-controlled Police,” the top cop said.
Egbetokun also proposed that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) should be merged to become a department in the police.
He therefore emphasized: “In view of this, the Police leadership rather is recommending the following instead of creating State Police.
“First, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Road Safety to form a Department under the Nigerian Police.”
He said the recruitment of Police personnel into the Force should be increased by at least 30,000 annually to meet the minimum policing standard of the United Nations (UN).