…Tinubu Committed to State Police

…IGP Says Nigeria Not Mature for State Police

…Divergent Views from Jonathan, Others

Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described unwavering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s resolve to reform the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and enhance security across Nigeria.

He disclosed this at the dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and PLAC, a civil society organization, has the theme; Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria.

He observed that the idea of state policing was not just a mere policy proposal, but a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework that would create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner that would closely address the various demands of communities across the country.

He said the Tinubu administration was much aware of the complex security issues confronting Nigeria, and as such is continually developing and refining its strategies and methods to address the challenges effectively.

Declaring the President’s resolve to change the nation’s security narrative, Senator Shettima said: “The commitment of the administration of President Tinubu to reform the police force and enhance security at both the national and state levels is unwavering.

“We view the outcomes of today’s deliberations as crucial inputs that will guide the government’s actions towards reforming the institution of the police and achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria”, he said.

The Vice President implored participants at the National Dialogue on State Policing to look at the idea of state policing from multiple angles, saying the President deserves commendation for being open and proactive towards the idea of reforming and decentralising the police force.

His words: “In our deliberations, let us consider the implications of state policing from multiple perspectives. We must evaluate its potential to improve response times to emergencies, adapt to specific local challenges, and increase accountability. At the same time, we must address concerns related to the standardisation of training, oversight, and the safeguarding of civil liberties.

“Our Dialogue today should also be seen as an opportunity to listen, understand, and propose solutions that bridge gaps. This forum mustn’t be the end but the beginning of an ongoing conversation on the issue of police and security sector reform in our country.”

The Vice President expressed delight that the 10th House of Representatives under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas keyed into the idea of state policing, noting that “the involvement of the legislature in executive reform proposals ensures continuity and synergy.

“Let us use this opportunity to engage and explore every option with the seriousness and diligence they demand. The President is committed to listening to your recommendations and insights, invaluable to shaping the policies that will lead us toward a more secure and just society,” he stressed.

In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion, former President Goodluck Jonathan, commended the organisers of the national dialogue, saying: “The issue today is not whether to establish state police but how it should be operated.”

“There is no need to debate about state police. The issues of state police and Coast Guards were accepted at the 2014 National Conference,” he added.

The former President said the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies at the border are not trained to deal with criminal gangs, even as he asked the government to concentrate on how to manage the state police in a way that it would not be hijacked by the political class.

He recommended that the Act establishing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be rejigged so that the police are not used for election malpractices and stuffing of the ballot box in states.

In the same vein, former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) maintained that to make peace and ensure a safe society, governors must be transparent, responsible, and honest as well as make the citizens go about their normal businesses.

He said the government should make laws to provide for an orderly environment, urging citizens to stop destroying or vandalizing public properties.

He also advised that the traditional institution and royal fathers should be given roles to play and be engaged in maintaining peace and order in their respective domains.

But the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, at the national dialogue said Nigeria is not mature enough to operate state governments-controlled police.

The state policing bill currently before the National Assembly seeks the removal of police from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list.

The IGP’s position was a clear departure from the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February when he met with state governors in Abuja during which they considered “the possibility of setting up state police.”

Dr. Egbetokun conveyed the position of the Police High Command at the dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review and PLAC, a civil society organization.

The IGP, who was represented by Mr. Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector General of Police said the National Assembly should instead of considering the establishment of state Police merge the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Commission (NSCDC) as departments under the federal police.

His words: “It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.

He also argued that state policing would further exacerbate the existing ethnic tension in Nigeria, a position that attracted jeers and loud protests from the audience, that booed Mr. Okolo.

Mr. Okolo’s speech started on a dramatic note as the AIG failed to recall the national honours of Vice President Kashim Shettima by referring to him as “GSM” instead of GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger).

The error from the AIG elicited laughter from the audience but despite the laughter, the senior police officer could not correct himself on the spot. He continued with his speech but later corrected himself and tendered an apology to Vice President Shettima.

Hear him: “I did not acknowledge the Vice President properly in the opening of the speech…” Mr Okolo said as the hall erupted in laughter again.

Even the Vice President could not help himself as he joined in laughing over the gaffe by the police officer.

Also, in his remarks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, thanked participants at the Dialogue, especially President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, Gen Abdulsalami, and former President Jonathan for lending their voices to the issue of establishing state police in the country.

He stated that as former President and Head of State, their contributions will provide direction to the discourse on the issue of state police given the dimension of insecurity in the country.

In his opening remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Ben Kalu, said those in support and those opposed to multilayer policing have valid arguments.

He, however, said the current security situation propelled the need for a multilayer security arrangement.

According to him, the essence of the national dialogue is to have a: “cross-fertilization of ideas across the board.” adding that since 2016, estimates suggest over N5 billion has been paid in ransoms to kidnappers, a figure that starkly exposes the alarming growth of this criminal enterprise in the country.

“These statistics underscore the urgent need for a multi-layered policing approach that prioritizes local security and enables a more responsive policing environment in Nigeria,” he said.

In his remarks, the Executive Director of PLAC, Mr. Clement Nwankwo Esq., said the dialogue presents an opportunity to discuss the possibility of abuse by state governments.

Some of the leaders at the national dialogue include; Vice President Kashim Shattima, who represented President Bola Tinubu; Former President Goodluck Jonathan; former military ruler Abdulsalami Abubakar; Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar; Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adewusi; Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed; the Minister of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam among others.