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From Ismail Omipidan, Abuja
The move by President Bola Tinubu-led administration to decentralise the current policing system in the country received a boost from former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who said the fears by some Nigerians that state police would be misused by state governors was misplaced.
Adamu, who is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), spoke at the weekend in Abuja while interacting with some journalists on his ambition to govern Nasarawa State.
According to him, although the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for a centralised policing system, he however noted that at the moment, decentralised policing is already in existence in the country, adding that all that is needed is to harmonise and strengthen it to maximise its effectiveness.
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“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for one police force, but police force, but in reality, we already have different forms of policing. When you look at vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch, and other local security arrangements like Amotekun in the South-West, they are performing policing functions. So, whether we formally call it state police or not, it already exists in practice. The real issue is not whether to create state police, but how to strengthen and regulate these existing structures to make them more effective and accountable. Some people fear that governors may misuse state police, but even now, local security outfits are being used in various ways. So, the fear that governors will misuse it is misplaced. What we need is a proper framework to ensure professionalism and oversight, “he noted.
The former IGP, who disclosed that he is head and shoulders above the other aspirants eying the Nasarawa State governorship seat, also spoke about his plans for the state in the areas of security, infrastructure, and economic development, insisting that he has the wherewithal to tackle the security challenge in Nasarawa State if given the mandate.
“The major issues in Nasarawa are farmer-herder conflicts and kidnapping. These are not unique to the state, but they are particularly pronounced in the North-Central region.
To address them, we must first understand their causes. For instance, conflicts between farmers and herders often arise from competition over resources and, in some cases, deep-seated mistrust. So, my approach is multi-layered. First, we will create jobs, especially for the youth, through agriculture and mining. Second, we will promote dialogue and conflict resolution at the community level, bringing farmers and herders together to agree on acceptable norms. Third, we will strengthen community policing by working closely with traditional institutions. They understand their people and can provide valuable intelligence,” he said.
