Nigeria not ripe for state police, IGP Egbetokun boasts

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has advised the federal government to merge the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with the police for effectiveness.

Mr Egbetokun spoke at the national dialogue on state policing, organised by the House of Representatives on Monday in Abuja with the theme “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria.”

The IGP, represented by the Assistant Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Ben Okoro, said the NSCDC and the FRSC were duplications of the police.

Mr Egbetokun also said Nigeria was not ripe enough for state police. He urged those calling for state police to work towards merging the NCDSC and the FRSC with the police for effectiveness.

“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” Mr Egbetokun said.

He added, “The police leadership is recommending the following instead of creating state police; merging the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps as a department under the Nigeria Police.”

Mr Egbetokun state police would create avenues for state governors to use it to suppress the opposition in their states, and would also lead to the problem of jurisdiction, which would bring about conflicts of interest.

He added that the state police would not be able to combat terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry because they required enormous resources to do so.

Mr Egbetokun said the police force was battling with inadequate training and a lack of adequate manpower.

The IGP said most police barracks had dilapidated due to a lack of maintenance and renovation, adding, “This has had a negative impact on the performance of the policemen.”

The IGP also emphasised the need to improve the training of personnel to enable modern policing, adding that funding was necessary to also help maintain internal security.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, said there was a need for a comprehensive and effective security framework to tackle the rising security challenge in the country.

Mr Musa, represented by Maj. Gen. Kunle Ariyibi, said the security and safety of the country were paramount.

”It is through collaboration and a shared commitment to the common good that we can develop policies and strategies that will enhance the security infrastructure of our dear nation,” he said.

Mr Musa said it was imperative to create a security framework that would be inclusive, responsive, and capable of safeguarding the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.