Buhari reacts to call for state Police

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally aired his opinion on the call for state police. Expressing the belief that it is not an option for the nation.

He made the remark in an exclusive interview with Channels Television, monitored by News Round The Clock.

There has been calls for state policing by several Governors as a way to solve insecurity across the country. Some said; governors might use it as an instrument of the state against their opponent if such requests are granted.

Policing in Nigeria

The current policing system in Nigeria is controlled by the Federal Government.

Alluding to the propensity for Governors to abuse their powers, Buhari said: “State police is not an option.”

“Find out the relationship between local government and the Governors. Is the third tier of government getting what they are supposed to get constitutionally? Are they getting it? Let the people in local government tell you the truth, the fight between local governments and the Governor.”

Buhari calls for support from traditional rulers

On the security situation in the country, the President urged traditional rulers to play a huge role in bringing peace to communities.

He also advocated for more dialogue in solving the farmer-herder clashes recorded across the country.

“The role of traditional rulers must not be undermined., because within their communities, they know who is who. Even by families, not to even talk of individuals,” he said.

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“So, we have to revert to that system for us to have effective security in the localities.

“For example, there were two Governors that came to see me about problems – Oyo state and one other state – because the herders were in their forests but the animals were going into the neighbouring farms, and eating the crops; I said, as far as I know, the farmers and herders have been co-existing in Nigeria for generations. Let them go and ask the local leadership what has gone wrong, why the break in communication between the local leadership and the herders.”