Nigeria Not Ripe For State Police – IGP Egbetokun

The Nigeria Police Force has voiced its opposition to the implementation of state police, citing concerns about the current readiness of the country for such a system.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressed these reservations during a one-day dialogue on state policing.

Representing the IGP, AIG Ben Okolo emphasized that the establishment of state police could exacerbate existing ethnic tensions, potentially leading to fragmented loyalties within the states.

He highlighted the risk of creating multiple command structures within the states, which could complicate law enforcement efforts.

Furthermore, the Inspector General’s representative warned of the potential for state governors to misuse state police for personal or political gains.

This misuse could result in abuses of power and violations of human rights, undermining the integrity of law enforcement.

Egbetokun argued that the current financial capacity of state governments is insufficient to support the robust policing required by the nation.

He suggested that instead of pursuing state police, efforts should be directed towards consolidating existing security agencies.

As an alternative approach, the IGP’s representative proposed the integration of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission into a specialized department within the Nigeria Police Force.

This consolidation aims to streamline security operations and enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, Egbetokun stressed the importance of addressing staffing shortages within the police force. He advocated for an annual recruitment target of 30,000 police personnel to meet international standards for modern policing.

Moreover, he emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocations to support the expansion and improvement of law enforcement capabilities.

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