The inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has voiced his opposition to the idea of state police.
The IGP In a national dialogue on state police organized by the House of Representatives in Abuja argued that Nigeria is not yet prepared for state police, emphasizing his stance against the proposal.
Egbetokun, who was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, said Nigeria is not ready for the establishment of state police.
Ben Okolo added the establishment of state police will also lead to multiple command structures across Nigeria
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“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 said.
“The IGP pointed out that state governors are likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, a situation that will gender human rights violations and unrest in the polity.
“He believes that the state government does not have enough to fund the type of policing that Nigeria needs As an alternative, Egbetokun recommended the merging of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to form a department in the force.
“He also said there is a need for annual recruitment of not less than 30,000 police personnel into the force annually to meet the United Nations’ requirements for modern policing,.” Ben Okolo Adeed
