6th June, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi has advised President Bola Tinubu not to approve the creation of state police.
The monarch warned that the establishment of state police may lead to civil war by state actors who flaunt Federal government authorities.
Oba Akanbi opined that autocratic governors are likely to abuse the process and also destabilize the existing cooperation amongst the state authorities.
He said: “State policing has a dare consequence and tantamount to lead to civil war by the state actors who flaunt federal government authorities.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier said the idea of state policing is not just a mere policy proposal but a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework that would create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner that would closely address the various demands of communities across the country.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also said that there is no need to debate about state police, adding that the issues of state police and Coast Guards were accepted at the 2014 National Conference.
Meanwhile Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, at a recent national dialogue on state police held in Abuja, faulted calls for its creation, differing from other personalities at the event.
The IGP argued among other factors, that “there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership.
“On the issue of state police, it is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.
“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.
“There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction,” he said.