Nigeria not ripe for state police – IGP Egbetokun

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday opposed the establishment of state police to tackle the lingering security crisis in the country.

President Bola Tinubu and the state governors had on February 16 agreed to establish state police in the country as part of measures to check the rising wave of insecurity.

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The agreement was one of the highpoints of an emergency meeting summoned by the President at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja, over escalating economic hardship and insecurity in different parts of the country.

But speaking at a one-day dialogue on state policing, the police chief said the country needed more time to prepare for such.

According to the IGP, establishing state police will exacerbate ethnic tensions, leading to divided loyalty in the states.

Represented by AIG Ben Okolo, the Inspector General of Police further argued that establishing state police will also lead to multiple state command structures.

He also said that state governors are likely to abuse the privilege of state police by using it for political gains, leading to possible abuse of power and abuse of human rights.