The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbeokun, has stated that Nigeria is not yet ready for the establishment of state police.
Speaking at a one-day dialogue on state policing, he expressed concerns that such a move would exacerbate ethnic tensions and create divided loyalties within the states.
He further argued that the introduction of state police would result in multiple command structures, potentially leading to confusion and inefficiency.
Represented by AIG Ben Okolo, the IGP also raised concerns about the potential abuse of power by state governors. He suggested that state police could be used for political gains, which could lead to violations of human rights.
Additionally, he highlighted the financial constraints faced by state governments, stating that they lack the necessary funding to support the type of policing required by the nation.
Instead of establishing state police, the IGP recommended the merging of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form a department within the Nigeria Police Force.
He also emphasized the need for annual recruitment of approximately 30,000 police personnel to meet the requirements for modern policing. Additionally, he called for increased budgetary allocation to the police force on an annual basis.
The IGP recommends alternative measures such as merging existing security agencies and increasing recruitment and budgetary allocation to enhance the effectiveness of the police force.
Article updated 20 hours ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
