Presidential nod for state police

Due to worsening insecurity across the country, President Bola Tinubu last week reiterated his administration’s resolve to establish state police. He also affirmed that the time for state police has finally come, stressing that all hands must be on deck to secure the country from bandits, terrorists and other forms of criminality. The President disclosed this to the governors after breaking the fast with them at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. “What I promised you will not be postponed. We will establish state police to combat insecurity. Start looking around you,” he stated.

Consequently, the President has urged the National Assembly to begin the process of amending the 1999 Constitution to incorporate state police as part of the efforts to tackle the nation’s daunting security challenges. The President made the request last week Wednesday during the breaking of fast with members of the Senate at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. While acknowledging that Nigeria is extremely challenged by terrorism, banditry and insurgency, the President explained that the constitutional amendment had become imperative to enable the country secure its forests from bandits and free children from fear.

According to the President, “what I am asking for tonight is for you to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the state police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, free our children from fear.”

The President’s new resolve to establish state police is commendable. It is in tandem with the wishes of millions of Nigerians. It has enjoyed the support of the 36 state governors, eminent Nigerians and other stakeholders in the Nigerian project. Now that the President has given his nod for us to have state police, all hands must really be on deck to ensure that the idea sails through. We say this because the government has dillydallied over the idea for too long. The time is indeed ripe for Nigeria to have state police.

The establishment of state or regional security outfits such as Amotekun in the South-West, Ebube Agu and its other variants in the South-East and Hisbah in Kano State has justified the need for state police. Moreover, the present centralized police system in the country is not working. Nigeria appears to be the only federation with centralized police system. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have layers of policing. We call on the National Assembly to earnestly commence the amendment of the constitution to pave way for the establishment of state police.

Having state police will enhance the numerical strength of our police force estimated to be currently 370,000 personnel. Nigeria’s current police to citizen ratio is grossly inadequate at 1:650. It falls far below the United Nations (UN) recommended ratio of 1:400.  The US has one police officer to 417 citizens and many other developed countries have a more equitable police to citizen ratio. The personnel for the state police should be recruited among the local people who understand the local terrain and environment.

It is laudable that the President has risen to the occasion and gave his nod for state police. Let other stakeholders ensure the success of the project. Although there are fears that governors will abuse state police, we believe that there should be adequate laws to check such abuses. In fact, strict laws must be put in place to regulate their operations.

In the face of criticisms that state police will be very expensive to maintain, we hasten to add that Nigeria has enough resources to fund it. No amount of money spent to secure the lives and properties of citizens will be too much. In fact, Nigeria will lose more to insecurity if state police is not created forthwith. The creation of the state police will provide employment to thousands of able-bodied youths roaming the streets.

When these youths are engaged in securing their various communities, they would be motivated to work and produce results. State police should not be politicized. Only qualified Nigerians should be recruited. The minimum standards of recruitment must also be clearly stated, as well as funding modalities.

All tiers of government must be involved in funding the state police. No doubt, the creation of the state police will curtail insecurity across the country. Without doubt, a secure Nigeria will boost foreign investment and provide employment. As the president has promised to establish state police, he should do so without delay. We also believe that the creation of the state police will enhance urgent response to security matters. This matter should not be postponed again.