In a bid to curb the rising insecurity in the country, the plan to establish state police has been supported by 16 Nigeria governors.
ÀQP Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, shared this information with State House Correspondents in a briefing following the National Economic Council (NEC) 140th meeting, which was conducted under the chairmanship of Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Though 20 state governors and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administrator are yet to submit their positions, the 16 governors already advocating ahead to request that a comprehensive review of the Nigerian Constitution to possibly facilitate this change.
Recall that the advocacy for state policing has been a long-standing demand from various quarters, including governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who, as early as February 12, had reiterated their stance that state policing is crucial for combating the country’s security challenges.
EFFORTS SO FAR
Similarly, regional socio-political organizations such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, and the Northern Elders’ Forum have consistently called for the introduction of state police as a solution to the nation’s security woes.
Meanwhile, the same security challenges already has led to states in the South-West establishing some security outfits such as, the Amotekun security outfit, while the South-East introduced Ebube Agu.
The North Central state of Benue has launched the Benue Guards, and states plagued by banditry, like Katsina and Zamfara, have also created their security Agents.
Although lack of federal backing in terms of authorization to carry rifles like AK-47s, needed to combat heavily armed criminals has hindered the progress and effectiveness of these outfits, they still go ahead to contribute the little they can. This however has led to the continous agitation for state police mostly in the areas highly affected.
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