State Police Receives Backing from 16 Govs: Momentum Grows for Reform

The establishment of state police has been endorsed by 16 state governors due to the security challenges facing the country.

This was disclosed by the National Economic Council (NEC) during its 140th meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, who briefed State House Correspondents virtually after the meeting, mentioned that 20 state governors and the FCT were yet to make their submissions out of the 36 states.

The governors who submitted their memos also called for a review of the Nigerian Constitution. The NEC has also received the abridged report of the ad-hoc committee on Crude Oil Theft Prevention and Control, which identified areas of oil leakages in the industry and observed cases of infractions.

The committee, chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state, emphasized the need for political will to effect changes and reforms. The clamor for state police has been growing as Nigeria faces challenges like kidnapping and banditry, with various groups and political parties advocating for its implementation.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these outfits has fallen short of expectations due to the lack of support from the Federal Government. States are persistently calling for Amotekun, Ebube Agu, and other groups to be authorized to carry assault rifles such as AK-47s in order to combat dangerous armed attackers.