State Police: IGP should approach constitutional provisions-ACF

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna 

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has advised the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to align himself with the constitutional provisions on the creation and implementation of State Police.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, told Saturday Sun that “the proposal as it is reflects a considerable confusion on the part of the administration. Given the sustained interest in the putative feeling that the route of State Police will overcome the problem of insecurity, it is somewhat disappointing that a 5-year span is being contemplated. It is far too long a solution, if indeed it is one, as being strenuously sold.

“This is more so as the problem itself, widespread insecurity, has continued to expand rather than abate, and unless there are other effective ways to tackle the problem, the nation does not have the time or the patience to wait this long to see the decapitation of the monster.

“Besides, the matter of whether or not to have State Police is a constitutional provision to be approached through appropriate amendments. As it is, the administration, through the IGP, is behaving as if such a constitutional change has been concluded or, alternatively, that it must be done. This amounts to appropriating the functions of the National Assembly. There’s a need to tarry awhile.

“Whether the IGP is sincere, I cannot tell. Only he can answer the question. As a citizen, I will prefer that the IGP concern himself with discharging his responsibilities of law enforcement efficiently and effectively within the extant processes. There is certainly a whole lot that needs to be done, about which the IGP has, I am sure, his hands full already.

“The matter of State Police is best left to elected officials. It is not clear, indeed, if any changes will have a role to play for the federal police in the implementation of any new arrangements. I am not at all comfortable that the administration and the police appear to be acting ahead of the needed constitutional go-ahead, and how.”