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Tag: STATE POLICE

  • Plateau, Benue killings: State Police back on front burner

    Plateau, Benue killings: State Police back on front burner

    • Issue may return to NEC agenda this week
    • Senators developing legal framework

    The resurgence of violent killings in Plateau and Benue states in the last month has brought back to the front burner the vexed issue of state police.

    The Senate, on resumption from recess next week, will put a framework to the idea, according to Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

    The issue is also expected to be on the agenda of the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting this week.

    NEC, chaired by the Vice President, is made up of governors and a few other federal officials.

    At its December 12, 2024, meeting, it was announced that all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had indicated readiness to embrace state police.

    Against the expectations of Nigerians, however, NEC’s February meeting – its only one so far this year – did not discuss state police – at least not on the communiqué released to the media.

    Also yesterday, Serving Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church (formerly Latter Rain), Pastor Tunde Bakare, advocated the formation of zonal security councils and decentralisation of policing.

    Two security experts also proffered community involvement and police independence as a panacea to the killings.

    Former Senate President David Mark gave a range of suggestions to end the killings.

    Bamidele called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those perpetrating killings, kidnappings and destruction of property in parts of the country.

    He said: “The recent killings in Benue and Plateau states outright negated the virtues of peace and love that Jesus Christ taught.

    “The recurrent utterances by some political and sectional figures also belied the values of courage, perseverance and tolerance He evidently lived for.

    “No country develops as a result of one section rising up against another and vice versa.

    “While the authority of the National Assembly is in the process of developing legal frameworks for the establishment of state police as one of the measures to address insecurity in the country, we urge security agencies to work together as a team to track and apprehend all the masterminds and sponsors of terror attacks nationwide.

    “We appeal to some political actors who always latch onto the country’s challenges to push divisive narratives to learn from the example of Jesus Christ.

    “Such actors are no longer playing opposition politics, but simply taking advantage of the country’s internal conditions in the pursuit of their own parochial political outcomes.

    “Regardless of their ethnicity, politics and religion, all actors should shun all forms of divisive utterance and join forces against the common foes of Nigeria and not subvert our effort to build a strong and virile federation.”

    Zonal security

    Bakare, who expressed concern over the spate of killings, abductions and other crimes, called for the decentralisation of the policing system and the formation of zonal security councils.

    In his state of the nation address in Lagos yesterday, the cleric noted that the surge in security concerns, including the recent killing of hundreds of residents in Plateau and Benue states, required a new approach to tame.

    He said: “We must then reinstate national security federalism by activating constitutional procedures for multilevel policing, including local, state, and zonal policing systems.

    “Against this backdrop, we must redesign our security architecture by facilitating the formation of zonal security councils, chaired by a governor from the respective zone on a rotating basis.

    “Such councils, which will be formed by state and local policing systems within respective zones, must be managed by nonpartisan security experts, while the Chairperson at each point in time will represent the zone at the National Security Council.

    “These steps would be further boosted by adequately retooling our security infrastructure to meet the complex demands and by remodelling our security infrastructure to end interagency rivalry.

    “We must also recreate our national security culture by mandating the kind of organisational culture change within the entire gamut of our law enforcement agencies that can win back the trust of the people.”

    Stringent measures

    Senator Mark called on the Federal Government to be more proactive in its efforts to tackle the menace of violent crimes, kidnapping and armed herdsmen.

    He suggested that such violent and murderous groups should be declared terrorists and treated as such.

    Mark bemoaned the unabating violent crimes, especially in the Northcentral states of Plateau and Benue.

    A statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja quoted Mark as saying: “We must not shy away from the truth. If they are not terrorists, why are they killing people? Why are they destroying communities? Why are they chasing people away from their ancestral homes?”

    Decrying the unending activities of armed herders suspected to be behind killings and kidnappings, Mark said: “Their activities are unacceptable and should not only be condemned but be prohibited in their entirety as nobody has the right to take anybody’s life.”

    On the attacks on several communities in Benue and Plateau states, the senator called on the Federal Government to proscribe open grazing in all parts of the country.

    Read Also:  Plateau killings fueled by long-standing grievances, mistrust – GOC 3 Division

    The former Senate President, whose home town in Benue State was under attack, called for a more inclusive approach to tackle insecurity in all ramifications.

    Mark also called for the establishment of a well-equipped Border Security Forces (BSF) to halt the influx of criminals into Nigeria, pointing out that most of the suspected killer-herders “took advantage of the porosity of our borders by streaming into the country”.

  • Activist restates call for state police

    Activist restates call for state police

    A renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, has restated his call for the establishment of state police, to tackle insecurity in the country.

    In a statement in Lagos yesterday, he emphasised the importance of state police to support and boost operational performances of other security agencies. 

    Onitiri called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to outlaw open grazing nationwide, to check the activities of herdsmen engaging in kidnapping, ransom-taking, looting, killing, maiming, raping of innocent girls and housewives, taking over, destroying of people’s farms and other crimes.

    He said if governors had cooperated with the Federal Government and showed their feelings for the people, the issue of state police force would have been settled.

    Read Also: Fasoranti applauds Tinubu, backs President’s leadership

    Onitiri noted that the herdsmen had invaded forests nationwide, committing atrocities in the name of free movement.

    ‘’The irony of the situation is that whenever any of them commits a crime and is arrested, authorities in Abuja will demand his transfer to the place.

     “And this will be the end of the matter, leaving the victims and their families to suffer the consequences,” he said.

    Onitiri said because of herders’ problems, ‘’farmers and their families now fear for their lives and are afraid to go to their farms, causing food shortages and inflation in the country.’’

    The social critic said the problem of herders had got to a peak, adding that if nothing tangible was done to tackle it, there might be reprisal against the herders terrorising farmers on their farms, which might create more security problems.

  • Still on state police

    Still on state police

    • Fed Govt should expedite action on the matter

    A press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on April 2, stated, “The Nigeria Police Force is set to host the maiden edition of National Police Day on April 7, 2025, at Eagle Square, Abuja. This was sequel to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pronouncement on same, on April 19, 2024, during the Nigeria Police Award and Commendation Ceremony in Abuja.

    The historic event, which ran from April 2 to April 7, 2025, featured a series of activities, like medical outreaches, community engagements, exhibitions by security companies and their partners, among other programmes, aimed at fostering stronger police-community relations.

    We agree with the president that, given the enormous sacrifices policemen are making to keep the country safe, nothing is too much to appreciate their efforts. Not in the least a day set aside to reflect on their needs, achievements, sacrifices, among others.

    Indeed, the president set the tone of the historic occasion: “As President, I reaffirm this administration’s steadfast dedication to the welfare and empowerment of the Nigeria Police Force. A secure Nigeria is vital for our collective prosperity, and this vision begins with ensuring that our police force is well-equipped, well-trained, and well-motivated.  We are resolute in our commitment to police welfare and comprehensive reform.”

    Thus, rather than the fanfare that greeted the occasion, we should be more concerned about the state of our police force, especially so as the country is going through a lot of secure challenges that require all hands on deck to tackle.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that the security challenges we are confronting are beyond our police force. That is why soldiers, whose major responsibility is protection of the country’s territorial integrity have had to be drafted to assist the police in maintaining internal security.

    The country and successive governments have done a lot to boost the capacity of the policemen. Security trust funds have been established in some places to raise funds for them to procure sophisticated tools required for crime fighting.

    We must admit though, that with a population of about 220 million, the less than 400,000 policemen in the country are grossly inadequate.

    There are also inadequacies in terms of sophisticated tools of crime fighting and what have you, but many people have come to the conclusion that a central police force is inadequate for the country.

    This led to agitations for state police to be on ground in the states. The argument is that being closer to the people, and as indigenes of their respective states, the state policemen better understand the terrains, unlike the NPF as presently constituted, whose officers could be transferred to places where they know next-to-nothing about. This is a minus for crime detection and prevention.

    Read Also; NNPP dead, Kwankwaso ‘ll soon join APC – Ganduje

    Of course, not everyone agrees that state police is the panacea to the insecurity in the land. For instance, the Muhammadu Buhari administration did not seem favourably disposed to the idea of state police. So, it did little to advance its course.

    But the Tinubu administration which is a strong advocate of federalism appears more receptive to the idea. This is why we would appeal to it to expedite action on the matter.

    The Federal Government and governors had agreed at the meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) they held in December, last year, to finalise discussions on the creation of state police at their next meeting, then scheduled for January 31, 2025.

    Interestingly, it is governors, some of whom had objected to the idea of state police initially that now claim to be waiting on the Federal Government to come up with the modalities for state police.

    We know this demands a lot of painstaking planning, spelling out the ‘dos and don’ts’ of the state police, the relationship between them and the NPF, etc., the Federal Government should expedite action on it, especially as more governors have bought into the idea.

  • State police: Law teacher advocates training, certification for personnel

    State police: Law teacher advocates training, certification for personnel

    Constitutional law Professor, Mojeed Alabi, has recommended the establishment of a police commission at the level of the federation.

    The commission will be responsible for the training and certification of policemen and the creation of a pool from which any unit of government can recruit men and officers as may be needed.

    Alabi, a former member of the House of Representatives added that “the road to full adoption of state police is fraught with landmines that need to be successfully scaled before we can arrive at the promised land.”

    Alabi made the remarks in Ilorin, Kwara at the national conference on “Restructuring the political architecture in Nigeria: Is state police the only option?

    Read Also: Abdulsalami Abubakar: Nigerian democracy has survived reactionary forces

    The conference was organised by the Institute of Legislative Studies of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN).

    Alabi, who doubles as the Provost, College of Law, Osun State University, said: “Apart from the much-anticipated amendment of the constitution, there is a need for robust legal frameworks to guide the ensuing regime.

    “The National Assembly must be able to put in place an Act(law) that will properly delineate the scope of the respective jurisdictions of the federal and the state polices to avoid conflict of interests in the use and deployment of police forces.

  • Governors embrace state police

    Governors embrace state police

    • Proposal for fine-tuning next month

    The stage may be set for the establishment of state police, following the submission of plans for their take-off by all the states.

    The governors declared their collective support for the multi-layer policing initiated by the Federal Government to address the persistent security challenges.

    At the end of the yesterday’s 147th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the State House in Abuja presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the governors  also suggested improved funding for the activities of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC).

    They also resolved to participate in the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) programmes  to combat food insecurity.

    Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who spoke with reporters on behalf of the Council, said the three states—Adamawa, Kebbi, and Kwara—which could not submit their proposals on the state police, finally submitted.

    Only the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is yet to submit it’s proposals on the issue.

    Sani said nearly all the states  have endorsed the proposed establishment of state police, signaling a strong consensus on the matter.

    He said the discussions at the meeting focused on plans by states for the review of the police structure.

    He emphasized that many states agreed on the need for state-controlled police due to the unique security challenges confronting the regions and the glaring inadequacies zin the current national security framework.

    He explained that the Council decided to defer final deliberations on the matter until its next meeting billed for next month.

    The delay, he explained, is to allow the NEC secretariat to present a comprehensive report based on the submissions by states.

    The governor said plans are underway for stakeholders’ engagements to refine the proposals before a final decision is taken.

     Sani said a decentralised policing system would enable states to tailor security measures to their specific needs, thereby enhancing the overall safety of citizens.

    He said: “Today, one of the discussions we had at the NEC meeting was the update on the creation of state police. As you are aware, there was a submission by states toward the establishment of state police. ⁣

    “Today, all 36 states have already made their submissions for establishing state police and I can say here that from what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police.

    “But today, the Council decided to step down the discussion until the next council meeting, because we need to come up with a report from the secretariat and after the report, there will be deliberation at the next NEC meeting that is likely taking place in January.

    Read Also: State police: Make Nigeria safe again

    “Not only that, there’s also a resolution in the last NEC meeting, which today the Secretariat have also agreed on that there will be further stakeholder engagement after the panel and deliberation by the members of the NEC. “⁣

    Sani added: “So, all we are saying here is that 36 states have made their own submission, and many states are in agreement for the establishment of state police, considering the fact that virtually every state has their peculiarity in terms of the problem we are having of insecurity in our own states.

    “Knowing full well that we have a lot of ungoverned space in Nigeria, and also that we have a lot of deficit in terms of number of boots on ground, looking at the fact that a lot of security agencies, the police, the army and other relevant security agencies have no personnel to cover all the ungoverned spaces, that is the reason most of us agreed that establishment of state police in Nigeria is the way forward toward addressing the problem of insecurity in our own country.”

    Improved funding for RMAFC

    NEC also suggested the allocation of 0.05% of non-oil federation revenue for RMAFC activities.

    Anambra State Governor Charles Solomon told reporters that the Council approved a legislative review of RMFAC Establishment Act.

    The decision followed an earlier presentation by the RMFAC Chairman at the November 21 NEC meeting, highlighting its critical role in the federation and its current funding challenges.

     Soludo explained that the NEC considered RMFAC’s draft repeal-and-replace legislation, which aims to update the legal framework governing the Commission to better reflect its responsibilities.

    The Council agreed that the draft bill should be forwarded to the National Assembly for consideration and passage.

    In response to RMFAC’s request for alternative funding mechanisms, NEC proposed the allocation of 0.05% of non-oil federation revenue to the Commission.

    Although RMFAC initially requested 0.75%, NEC settled for a lower figure as a tentative measure, subject to further scrutiny and approval by the National Assembly.

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said  the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy made a presentation for the establishment of historic sites to be named as Renewed Hope Creative Villages.

    He said: “The whole idea is for the ministry to be able to work first, with a lot of the sub-nationals to identify some of these sites and identify some of these very historic locations, and see how they are adopted, into the creative villages, as a one stop shop.

    “We’ve talked about the enormous opportunity that are bound in the creative industry, especially with our rural historic sites and with our monuments. So, the whole idea around the presentation was for the ministry to put it at the front burner and for the sub-nationals to be able to work with them identify various sites that can become what we call thriving. We know that sector has the potential of giving hundreds and thousands of jobs.”

    The Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, explained that the indebtedness of states to the Federal Government was N16.6 billion.

    He said the Excess Crude Account as at December 10, was $424 million, Stabilisation account, N33.3 billion, while natural resources account was N23 billion

    Edun added: “Also reported as regards the surpluses that states have with the federal government, that figure is currently 363.4 billion naira, while the state deficit position with the federal government, stands at approximately N16.6 billion.”

    Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi spoke on the ad hoc committee on flood, erosion, drought, and desertification, chaired by Kogi State Governor Ahmed Ododo.

    Eyakenyi said the committee has successfully implemented many recommendations on financial assistance to states grappling with flood issues.  

  • Three states get ultimatum to decide on state police

    Three states get ultimatum to decide on state police

    • Kwara, Kebbi, Adamawa listed

    Three states yet to submit their positions on state police have been given a one-week ultimatum.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) which gave the order yesterday after its 146th meeting explained that the Council will take its decision on the creation of state police next month.

    The NEC chaired by the Vice President, is a critical economic advisory body to the President.

    It is made up of governors and members of the Federal Government Economic Team.

    Given a report after yesterday’s meeting,  Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri said: “Council was updated with the submission of the establishment of state police, and it was reported that 33 states have submitted their positions, while three states are yet to do so, and these three states are Adamawa, Kebbi and, incidentally, Kwara, which is the chairman of our forum, and the FCT, are yet to submit their positions.

    “The council mandated these remaining states and FCT to make their submissions within the next one week, and resolved to present a consolidated states’ position on the state police to the National Economic Council at our next meeting”.

    The council also took some decisions on power, revenue and the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs).

    The NEC resolved to press on with the implementation of the National Electrification Strategy.

    Vice President Shettima told members  that access to energy is a fundamental right and not a privilege because electricity is the oxygen of economic growth.

    Accordingly, the Council has constituted a committee on National Electrification to help address the challenges in the power sector.

    Also , Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the committee headed by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, is to work towards deepening states’ engagements within the Electricity Reform Act 2023 and the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan.

    Following a presentation by the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), NEC observed that Nigeria needs a reformed and diversified electricity system, noting that by empowering states, accessibility and affordability of electricity can be enabled, ensuring that all regions effectively meet their specific energy needs.

    Members of the committee include Governors Dikko Radda of Katsina, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Hope Uzodimma of Imo, and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau.

    Others are Ministers of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu; Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu; Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change; Special Adviser to the President on Power; Managing Director REA, and Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company.

    Shettima stated: “The past few months of collapses in our national power grid compel us to reinforce the pace with which we are adopting and implementing the National Electrification Strategy. Energy access is a fundamental right, not a privilege. It is the oxygen of economic growth.

    The Vice President also urged the Council to take Nigeria’s creative industry seriously, saying it presents an avenue to redefine the nation’s economic trajectory.

    Read Also: State police: Make Nigeria safe again

    According to him, new technologies have not only amplified the global appeal of our arts, crafts, and culture but also opened up revenue streams and job opportunities for Nigerians.

    “Our music, films, art, and cultural heritage are not just global symbols of Nigeria’s soft power but also vital engines of economic growth. We cannot afford to relegate the promise of turning creativity into wealth, empowering our youth, and positioning Nigeria as a hub of innovation and cultural excellence,” he added.

    Council also deliberated on a range of other issues, including the critical funding challenges faced by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), and ratified the Board of the Nigeria Sovereign Wealth Investment Authority (NSIA).

    Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who spoke on these presentations, explained that the Council received a presentation from the chairman of the RMAFC on alternative funding mechanisms for the commission.

    The presentation highlighted the RMAFC’s constitutional mandate to ensure equitable revenue allocation but underscored severe underfunding as a major obstacle to its effectiveness. The Council acknowledged the funding challenges and directed its secretariat to study the commission’s financial proposal and assess the legal implications of the request.

    The Council also reviewed the nation’s account balances as of November 20, 2024, as presented by the Accountant-General of the Federation. The balances were reported as follows:

    Excess Crude Account: $473,754.57

    Stabilization Account: N33.32 billion

    Natural Resources Account: N26.85 billion.

    Also the Council received a presentation on Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) from its National Coordinator, Dr Kabir Yusuf.

    The programme is currently being implemented at varying stages in seven states and the FCT namely; Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and FCT, under phase 1 of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones.

    Under the second phase,  24 states were visited by the selection team to assess their readiness for the programme. The implementation model is a government and private sector-led (SPV) arrangement hence, discussions are underway to partner with private developers & co-financiers on the project estimated to cost about $1 billion.

    A presentation by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) showed the agency’s latest innovations and strategic initiatives including products like a solar irrigation pump, electric vehicles, coal-based fertilizer, NASENI solar home systems, and smart devices.

    States were urged to leverage NASENI’s tailored support for manufacturing, industrial development, and access to public sector markets, alongside infrastructure and policy benefits to enhance economic growth.

    In its resolutions, Council directed NASENI to repair tractors and other agricultural machinery across the country and scale up the establishment of lithium battery factories in regions rich in raw materials.

  • State Police: NEC gives Kwara, FCT, Kebbi, Adamawa one week to submit position

    State Police: NEC gives Kwara, FCT, Kebbi, Adamawa one week to submit position

    The National Economic Council (NEC) has given three states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) one week to submit their positions on the creation of state police.

    This ultimatum was disclosed by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who identified Adamawa, Kwara, and Kebbi as the states yet to submit their reports.

    Governor Diri made this announcement while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja, accompanied by the governors of Imo, Hope Uzodinma; Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu.

    Diri said already 33 states have submitted their positions.

    Read Also: State police: Make Nigeria safe again

    “Council was updated with the submission of the establishment of state police, and it was reported that 33 states have submitted their positions, while three states are yet to do so, and these three states are Adamawa, Kebbi and, incidentally, Kwara, which is the chairman of our forum, and the FCT, are yet to submit their positions.

    “The council mandated these remaining states and FCT to make their submissions within the next one week, and resolved to present a consolidated states’ position on the state police to the National Economic Council at our next meeting”, Governor Diri said.

    It would be recalled that NEC had on September 4, 2024, threatened to impose its decision on states that have failed to submit their reports on state police.

    On Thursday, February 15, 2024, President Bola Tinubu agreed on the need to establish state police, as recommended by state governors, to curb rising insecurity in the country.

    States were subsequently directed to submit their reports to the council for deliberation and action.

    Details shortly…

  • State police: Make Nigeria safe again

    State police: Make Nigeria safe again

    • By Bamidele Ademola-Olateju

    By In 1861, the Acting Governor of Lagos Colony; William McCosky established the first police force, to protect British trade. After that, we had a British style system based on Constabularies, Native Authorities, and the post-independence regions controlling the security system within their territories and it was effective. Only the Eastern region under the 1963 constitution did not exercise the right to establish a regional police force. The police in other regions had regional training and are imbued with civilian orientation and inclinations. Ever since, the gradual destruction of the little progress we made just before, and after independence, started with the unfortunate incursion of the military into our politics. The coup of 1966 threw out the baby with the bath water. The first casualty was the 1963 constitution, which they ignored. All local police were abolished through the centralization, and militarization of the police force. Thus began the destruction of the ethos of a developing, devolved policing system leading to a loss of espirit de corp, focus and effectiveness. The 1979 and 1999 drafted by the military foreclosed the formation of any decentralized police architecture.

    In the United Kingdom in contra-distinction, the system created by Sir Robert Peel devolved from London to the regions and there was never a need to create a centralized policing system around London because the topography of the regions is different. For effectiveness the military conception of a centralized Bonarpartist conception of the State must be discarded. Napoleon created a centralized state to suppress a revolution, what revolution is Nigeria, a multi-ethnic state suppressing? Furthermore, France was at the time homogenous, with a shared culture and a state religion. We are heterogenous, with diverse cultures. Today policing has been so devolved in the United Kingdom, much like the USA, where there are democratically contested elections for top posts in the police system. That was inconceivable decades ago. Anyone can contest on a non-party basis. Nigeria cannot continue to swim against the tide.

    The reservations against the devolution of the policing system can also be used against the Federal police force, that is; partisanship, high handedness etc. The antidote to all these is professionalism as well as the entrenchment of democratic control and civil society monitoring, and oversight. This is what obtains elsewhere since no country is populated by Angels.

    Professionalism of an antediluvian policing system is key for effectiveness; frankly every aspect of the State must be retooled and technologically driven if Nigeria is to become competitive again. A government Technology Service must be established to infuse technology into every department including the police, customs, judiciary, ports and so forth. This is long overdue. The British premier achieved a similar modernising objective in his administration when in 1964 he created the under performing agencies and departments of the state.

    The argument for state police is not just about decentralization, it is about building a Nigeria that is secure enough to compete and be globally relevant. As it is today, the Nigerian police have not transited from a force into a Service. Its focus is still about regime protection, and not on service rendered to protect the community.

    Read Also: Nigeria, ECOWAS to improve energy data methods

    What is delaying the creation of state police? According to the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Asishana Okauru; The official position of the forum is in favour of state police. I don’t know of any state that is not in support of state police.” As of September, Kwara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Adamawa, and the Federal Capital Territory have not submitted their report to the National Economic Council (NEC). Society is ordered and coordinated from the base, that is, the community level. This is why the late Governor Rotimi Akerodolu SAN is now a cherished historic persona. By insisting on the efficacy of Amotekun he changed the territory of the discourse, which as Gramsci stated is the real purpose of politics. His intervention has been positive.

    A vast and varied territory with diverse cultural etymology like Nigeria, cannot be subjected to a centralized internal security mechanism. The United Kingdom, United States of America, Ethiopia and Canada know that this is most absurd. The United Kingdom is a devolved unitary state, but it operates over fifty autonomous police boards and does not have a czar called Inspector General of Police. The creation of this position, in post independence Nigeria in 1962 must now be subject to re-evaluation. Nigeria must rebuild its internal security with sub-nationals controlling the policing system and be responsible for their effectiveness. There will of course be democratic control, as well as parliamentary scrutiny, and oversight. As President Eisenhower showed in Little Rock in 1958, that the local police can be temporarily “Federalized” in the national interest in an emergency. The present defective unitary set up is affecting Nigeria’s credit risk analysis leading to questions about its suitability as an investment destination.

    Nigeria’s food security is also at risk, leading to horrendous food price inflation. An an acclaimed federalist, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a compelling, historic responsibility to devolve the police framework and make Nigeria safe again.

    •Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, former Commissioner for Information in Ondo State, is the Director of New Media and Corporate Services for the All Progressives Congress.

  • NEC gives FCT, Kwara, three others Mon. deadline on State Police

    NEC gives FCT, Kwara, three others Mon. deadline on State Police

    Some states that are yet to submit their reports on the proposal for the creation of state police have till Monday to do so, the National Economic Council (NEC) gave the directive yesterday.

    On February 15, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu agreed with the need to establish state police as recommended by governors to curb rising insecurity across the land.

    The 36 states were thereafter mandated to submit their reports to the NEC for deliberation and further action.

    Acting Oyo State Governor Bayo Lawal, who briefed reporters at the State House after the meeting, said the failure by the four states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yet to turn in their reports by Monday would mean that whatever decision the Council arrives at would be binding on them.

    Lawal, who is Oyo Deputy Governor, did not name the affected states.  But investigation showed that Adamawa, Sokoto, Kwara, Kebbi and FCT, have not submitted their reports.

    He said: “An update on the establishment of State police was considered and this was as a result of the security situation challenges  that we have across the nation.

    “So that we would have a robust security in our nation, for that purpose sometimes last year NEC considered the establishment of state police and asked states to make submissions of considerations.

    “Today all the states were supposed to submit for consideration of the NEC. Incidentally, four states couldn’t submit for that purpose. NEC decided that those states must make their submissions on or before Monday, 9th of September, otherwise whatever decision NEC takes on the establishment of state police is binding on those states that refused to make submissions.”

    Move to tackle flooding

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule briefed reporters on NEC’s decision on ravaging floods across the states.

    According to him, the Council gave affected states until Monday to come up with detailed inventories of flood-inflicted damages.

    Sule said that the NEC has set a deadline for states to submit comprehensive reports on damage to farms, schools, bridges and other infrastructure affected by floods.

    The reports will be used to determine appropriate support for the affected states.

    He also added that the NEC reconstituted the flood committee with new members to address the ongoing crisis and provide necessary support to affected states.

    The committee will work closely with state governments to assess damage and provide relief.

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    The deadline for submitting inventories is aimed at enabling the federal government to provide timely and effective support to affected states, mitigating the impact of the flood on communities and livelihoods.

    He said: “The Council has decided that by Monday will be the deadline for all the states of the Federation to submit details of damage, including farms, schools, barges that have been affected by the last flood and Mr. Chairman mentioned it will be taken into consideration for appropriate support to the various states.

    “So, these are the new very strong membership of the flood committee that will continue to address council henceforth.”

    He listed Governors Usman Ododo (Kogi); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Bala Mohammed ( Bauchi); Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) and Umar Namadi (Jigawa) as members of the reconstituted flood committee.

    Others are: Minister of Water of Resources; Minister of State for Water Resources; Minister of State for the Environment; Director-General (DG), Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA); DG Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet); DG National Water Resources Institute (NWRI); Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); MD of North East Development Commission (NEDC); DG, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and DG, New Nigeria Development Company Limited (NNDC).

    Governor Mohammed said the Council discussed the fact that the federal government has released N3 billion to assist states affected by the recent flooding crisis.

  • Ondo, Rivers, Jigawa, Oyo restate commitment to state police

    Ondo, Rivers, Jigawa, Oyo restate commitment to state police

    Governors of Ondo, Rivers, Oyo and Jigawa states have restated their commitment to state police.

    They said the fear of abuse should not stop its establishment.

    They also believe safeguards can be put in place to address such concerns.

    The governors spoke during the breakout session of the ongoing Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.

    The conference theme is: “Pressing forward: a national posture for rebuilding Nigeria.”

    The session’s sub-theme was: “Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu Leadership Series: Is state police a solution to national insecurity?”

    Ondo State Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the centralised policing structure has proven inadequate in the face of the complex and evolving security challenges.

    “Times were when the centralised conventional police tried to manage our internal security system.

    “The advent of kidnapping, banditry, cattle-rustlings, farmer-herder clashes and terrorism is an evolution in security threats that calls for new approaches to security architectures and crime prevention in our country.

    “We require a decentralised security system that takes into account our diverse socio-cultural, terrains and environmental peculiarities in the management of crimes.

    “Our collective inadequacies in not measuring up to the responsibility imposed by Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.

    “This, no doubt, calls for an urgent need to enshrine state policing as a constitutional right.”

    He noted that for too long, the country has grappled with the scourge of insecurity, watching helplessly as the centralised policing model proved woefully inadequate.

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    Aiyedatiwa believes that with the right safeguards and governance structures in place, state policing can be the transformative solution the country needs.

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara,  represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Eborama, reiterated his support for state police, saying it was the best way to check rising insecurity.

    He highlighted many inefficiencies in the current policing structure, especially in states facing frequent kidnappings and other violent crimes.

    “Constitutionally, Nigeria is a federation. Can a central police, from top to bottom, effectively tackle crime in Nigeria? It cannot,” Fubara asserted.

    He pointed to the United States model, noting that their multi-layered policing system allows for a more effective response to crime.

    On fears that state police could be abused, he said: “Is there any situation in Nigeria that is not abused? The fear of abuse of state police cannot be used to deny its establishment.”

    Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintri also backed state police but said the federal police would also be needed.

    The governor, represented by Attorney-General, Bello Fanini, said: “A multi-layered police system that would allow state-level policing to complement the federal police is what we need as a country.

    “The federal police are still needed. Why? Because of the dynamics of crime and the importance of synergy between state and federal forces.”

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde pledged support for the establishment of state police.

    Represented by a former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo (SAN), the governor challenged the long-held myths surrounding the country’s centralised police system.

    Makinde emphasised the urgency of adopting state policing,  to tackle the rising insecurity across the nation.

    He recalled the Southwest governors’ resolve to explore constitutional frameworks, that would enhance the creation of state policing.

    The governor expressed concerns about the concept of community policing, which was being promoted as an alternative by federal authorities.

    “State policing may be an aspect of community policing, but it has a different character,” he argued.

    He also dismissed the myth that policing must be conducted solely at the federal level.

    The Oyo governor labelled it as a myth that was not borne out by data, statistics, or the reality of everyday life.

    He noted that Amotekun – the Southwest’s security outfit – has proven that state policing can make a difference.