The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has rejected the call for state police.
According to him, Nigeria is not mature for state police.
Egbetokun stated this on Monday at a national dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja.
The theme of the dialogue is ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.
Egbetokun, who was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, said Nigeria is not ready for the establishment of state police.
“On the issue of state police, it is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.”
The IGP also claimed that state governors were likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, leading to possible abuse of power and abuse of human rights.
“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security. There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction,” he noted.
The police boss maintained that there was the need for a yearly recruitment of about 30,000 police personnel into the Force annually to meet the UN requirements for modern policing, while also increasing annual budgetary allocation to the Force.
Rather than establishing state police across the country, the police chief recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form departments in the Nigeria Police Force.
I wonder why police hierarchy always oppose state Police. Is it just conservatism or professional pride, arrogance and grandstanding?? Or all of these?? It is clear that during Mbadinuju’s governorship in Anambra State, when the police were completely helpless and a total failure in containing armed robbery menace at that time, it was the bakasi boys that brought respite to ndi Anambra. This is just one example. Just like anything federal, the police hierarchy wants to monopolize power just to be lording it over us. It was NITEL, and telephone line was selling at N400,000 far back 1995. Today, the story has changed. It was NEPA, they can’t give you light but will always force estimated bill on you. Today, they are dismantled and the story is different as we have prepaid metres. Now, the nay sayers argue that the governors will use the state police against their political opponents. Agreed, but the governors will still employ them to fight crime, which is my only concern. I mean if for instance Mbadinuju used Bakasi boys to settle political scores, that shouldn’t border me at all as long as I can freely walk across Upper Iweka at 12midnight without molestation from all manner of evil people. Besides, the FULANI has completely dominated the police force, so that while their brothers are kidnapping here, they are using their police connections to ensure no one is arrested, and even the present police authorities don’t have the liver to weed off these barbarians from among them. Most unfortunately, these myopic leaders always come to their senses once they leave office. Dr Asase and his IGP Egbetokun, please understand me and know peace.