PARIS OLYMPIC GAMES
The Lagos State House of Assembly has disagreed with the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, that Nigeria is not ripe for state police.
The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to write to the Inspector-General and the National Assembly, stating that the state lawmakers reject Egbetokun’s position.
Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, signed a statement outlining the assembly’s position.
Persecondnews recalls that the IGP, represented at a recently held one-day dialogue on state policing, with the theme, “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’”, had opposed the establishment of state police, arguing that it would increase ethnic tension and cause divided loyalty across the states.
The IGP also recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the Federal Road Safety Corps, with the police force.
Speaking at the plenary on Monday, Obasa questioned the effectiveness of merging the FRSC and the NSCDC with the police force, citing their inability to address the issues of road accidents and pipeline vandalism, respectively.
“In Lagos State, we have the Security Trust Fund, through which successive administrations, starting with that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have provided enormous support to the police command in Lagos State. Yet, crime in different dimensions has continued.
“This shows that no matter what Egbetokun has proffered as a solution, it won’t solve our problem. The position of the IGP is unacceptable.
“We strongly believe that if we have state police, we would be able to solve the issues of crime in our nation or reduce it to the minimum.
“As we have seen in other climes, the United Kingdom has different levels of policing, just like the United States of America. So why should ours be different?
“The lives of our people are very important and we must do everything possible to make sure we protect lives and property.
“We want to state categorically that we believe in state police, and we want to urge the National Assembly to continue with its intendment to establish state police through the process of constitutional amendment,” Obasa said while praising President Tinubu for his resolve to end insecurity in the country.
Commending the Speaker for his stand on the issue of state police, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1 argued that with its current structure, it would be difficult for the Nigeria Police Force to effectively secure the country.
Another lawmaker, Sa’ad Olumoh (Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1), also declared his support for state police, pointing out that each Nigerian state currently has a local security outfit that resembles the state police.
“Today, which state does not have state police one way or the other? This is a cause that should be supported.
“For the IG to come out and say state police are not in the interest of Nigeria shows he is not considering the reality of insecurity among Nigerians,” he said.
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