IGP Egbetokun cautions against state policing, says Nigeria ‘not mature’ for it

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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stated that Nigeria is not ready for state policing, despite the numerous security issues it currently faces.

The IGP said this during a national dialogue on state police, which took place in Abuja under the theme ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.

“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,” the IGP, represented by AIG Ben Okolo, said at the event organized by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

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The IGP argued among other factors, that “there is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership.

“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.

He also said that there would also be a conflict of jurisdiction amongst the states.

IGP Kayode Egbetokun however suggested ways to make the police better in securing the country which include collapsing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to form a department under the Nigerian Police.

According to the police chief, there is also a need to ramp up the yearly recruitment of officers and provide more training for police personnel amongst others.