The Nigeria Police Force has voiced its opposition to the establishment of state police, citing concerns about the country's readiness for such a move. Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressed these sentiments at a one-day dialogue on state policing.
Egbetokun, represented by AIG Ben Okolo, cautioned that the introduction of state police could heighten ethnic tensions and create divided loyalties within states. He further argued that the proliferation of command structures under state police could complicate law enforcement efforts.
Highlighting potential risks, Egbetokun suggested that state governors might exploit state police for political purposes, leading to potential abuses of power and human rights violations.
In lieu of state police, the Inspector General proposed an alternative approach. He recommended merging the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to form a specialized department within the Nigeria Police Force.
Additionally, Egbetokun emphasized the need for increased recruitment efforts, suggesting an annual intake of 30,000 police personnel to align with modern policing standards set by the United Nations. He also advocated for higher annual budget allocations to the police force to enhance its operational capacity and effectiveness.
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