Insecurity : Lawmaker Supports Creation Of State Police

In a bid to address escalating insecurity in the Country, Member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in Akwa-Ibom state, Mr. Clement Jimbo
has fervently advocated the establishment of state police.

Recently, the House of Representatives had passed for second reading the Bill for an act for establishment of State Police and the transfer of Police as an item under the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List Sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Benjamin Kalu and 13 others.

“Presenting the bill on behalf of other sponsors a Member from Kwara State, Tolani Muktar Shagaya, who emphasized the necessity for state police to address local security challenges effectively argued that individuals familiar with the affected areas are best suited to handle certain security issues.”

Briefing news men in Abuja, the Lawmaker commended the passing of the bill for second reading and emphasized the need to augment the capabilities of law enforcement agencies at the state level to effectively combat crime and ensure the safety of citizens.

He highlighted the necessity for a decentralized approach that would allow states to tailor security strategies to suit their unique circumstances and swiftly respond to emerging threats.

He however expressed worry about concerns from some quarters that the establishment of the State Police would be abused while others insisted that State Government can not adequately fund the state police.

The Lawmaker reassured the public by highlighting existing state-funded security outfits in twenty states and emphasized the need to formalize state policing through legislative frameworks to alleviate concerns about sustainability.

“State policing is a burning issue in Nigeria right now and I want to lend my voice to say yes we need it now because Nigeria has come a long way to have state police. The entire Nigeria police force system started in 1930 were we had northern police force and the South then in 1960/we amalgamated and it became the Nigeria police force today from 1960 to date that is about 64 years, things have changed the population of Nigerians have increased there is need for us to diversify our police force and think deep to cater for those at the state level”.

“This issue whether the state governors will be able to fund and the whole responsibilities that comes with the establishment of state policing, in 20 states we have different formations of security outfits which is funded by state government so how are they doing it”.

“What we are doing in the 10th assembly by giving credence to state policing is simply to put a legal frame work to what is already in existence.

“Nigerians should not be afraid of anything whether they will be able to fund it, besides that every month state governors have what we call security votes, that is where the money will be channeled to appropriately. If you look at the aim of police force it says the principle of enforcement and lead security outfit in Nigeria so every other one is secondary, you must fortify the principal in order to checkmate those under it”.

“It will help our farmers go back to farm and that will make production and food available for Nigerians to buy”, he added.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji