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Traditional rulers in Benue State have called for the inclusion of traditional institutions in the proposed establishment and operation of State Police.
The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ayatse, and the Ochi’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu John Elaigwu Odogbo, made the call at a colloquium on State Police organised by Lawyers Alert in collaboration with the Bureau of Homeland held in Makurdi.
The Tor Tiv said Benue State had experienced prolonged insecurity which had also affected traditional institutions, stressing that their involvement was therefore critical to the success of the proposed State Police.
He urged the government to properly consult traditional rulers in developing the structure of the State Police, particularly during the recruitment and profiling of personnel.
Professor Ayatse said traditional institutions were closer to the people and had a better understanding of the communities they served, making them important in identifying the character and background of prospective police officers.
He called for a clear framework to guide the relationship between the proposed State Police, traditional institutions and other security agencies, particularly in the areas of intelligence sharing, cooperation and coordinated operations.
The Tor Tiv also stressed the need for adequate funding and proper budgeting, warning that insufficient funding could undermine the effectiveness of the proposed security outfit.
He further called for professionalism and political neutrality, saying State Police must be established to protect citizens and communities rather than serve individual or political interests.
The monarch urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and take concrete steps towards implementing State Police, assuring Governor Hyacinth Alia of the support of traditional institutions in the process.
On his part, the Ochi’Idoma called for a professional, accountable and community-centred State Police capable of responding effectively to security challenges across Benue.
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He stressed that State Police should not simply mean bringing policing closer to the people, but must involve officers who are professionally trained, properly equipped, technologically enabled and committed to the rule of law.
The Ochi’Idoma recommended the formal integration of traditional institutions into the state’s security architecture, noting that traditional rulers are strategically positioned at the grassroots and often receive early information about emerging security threats.
He said traditional institutions could contribute to early-warning systems, intelligence gathering, mediation, community engagement and conflict prevention without interfering with the constitutional responsibilities of the police.
The monarch also advocated for merit-based and transparent recruitment, warning against political influence and the use of personal connections in selecting officers.
He said traditional rulers should be consulted during the recruitment process because they possess useful knowledge about the character and background of people within their communities.
The Ochi’Idoma further called for strong coordination between the proposed State Police and existing security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Armed Forces, intelligence agencies and the Benue State Civil Protection Guard.
He said clear information-sharing mechanisms, operational protocols, effective oversight and accountability would be necessary to prevent duplication of duties and abuse of power.
According to him, the success of State Police should ultimately be measured by its ability to prevent attacks, protect lives and property, respond effectively to security threats and restore citizens’ confidence.
The Ochi’Idoma commended the Benue State Government and the Bureau of Homeland Security for initiating the stakeholders’ engagement, assuring that traditional institutions were ready to support a people-centred, professional and accountable security system.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of State Police is guided by merit, integrity, professionalism, accountability and respect for human dignity.
