Amid mounting security threats across Nigeria, the Federal Government and state governors convened to deliberate on the potential establishment of state police forces during a high-level meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, underscored the evolving discourse surrounding the introduction of state police.
“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The Federal Government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police,” he said.
“Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. Both the Federal Government and the state governments agree on the necessity of having state police. Now this is a significant shift. But as I said, more work needs to be done in that direction.
“A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals to see the modalities of achieving this. Now, these are some of the issues that have been discussed.”
The discussion on state police arises against the backdrop of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis, characterized by pervasive issues such as kidnapping and banditry.
Governors, particularly those affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have reiterated their stance on state policing, lamenting that Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela”.
Notably, regional socio-political organizations, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum, have consistently advocated for the implementation of state police as a viable solution to the complex security dynamics across Nigeria.
In response to the security crisis, several states have taken proactive measures by establishing their security outfits. The South-West region launched Amotekun, while the South-East introduced Ebube Agu.
Additionally, states such as Benue, Katsina, and Zamfara have deployed their security outfits to combat banditry and other criminal activities.
Despite these initiatives, the efficacy of state-level security agencies has been hampered by limitations, including the lack of federal endorsement and restrictions on access assault rifles like AK-47 to confront lethal gun-toting marauders.
State governments have emphasized the importance of equipping their security outfits with adequate resources and authority to effectively tackle armed criminal elements operating within their jurisdictions.
