IGP Insists Nigeria Not Ready for State Police Yet

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun expressed his belief that Nigeria is not yet ready for state policing, despite the numerous security challenges it faces.

Speaking at a national dialogue on state police in Abuja, the IGP stated that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) leadership believes the country lacks the necessary maturity for the establishment of state-controlled police.

He highlighted concerns such as the potential for abuse of power by state political leaders, the risk of undermining human rights and security, and conflicts of jurisdiction. Instead, the IGP proposed alternative measures to improve the police force, including the integration of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety into the Nigerian police.

He also emphasized the importance of increasing recruitment and providing more training for police personnel. Former president Goodluck Jonathan, on the other hand, argued that despite the challenges, state police is essential in present-day Nigeria due to the prevalence of crimes like kidnapping.

The event was attended by prominent figures such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, who conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to enhancing the police force based on the submissions from the national dialogue.