In the face of the increasing prevalence of kidnapping and insecurity that have plagued every region of the country, former presidential aide and seasoned journalist Laolu Akande has declared that the time has come for the implementation of state police in Nigeria.
Akande emphasized that the current centralized security structure is inadequate to address the unique security challenges faced by different states across the country, backing the need for localized security forces to effectively combat crime across the nation.
Speaking as the host of his TV show on Channels TV, “Inside Sources,” on Friday, February 2, 2024, Akande, gave his ‘take’ in the “My Take” segment while addressing the state of the nation, speaking passionately about the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria, which has left citizens feeling vulnerable and uncertain.
“We have seen the setting up of the especially Intervention squad which we advocated for and it is commendable we have also seen the arrest of a number of certain kidnap suspects and this is encouraging but the situation of kidnapping and other forms of insecurity all over the place and so today, I want to suggest that the time has come for the formal proper establishment of state police in the country,” Akande noted.
He added, “The time has come to give that authority and power in the state through the state government. Now, this has to be done properly and that is why we are calling for a proper constitutional amendment that will define how this will not be abused.”
ALSO READ: ‘Explain things properly,’ Laolu Akande tells FG, backs relocation of CBN depts to Lagos
“It is also important for all the stakeholders to come together and ensure proper rules of engagement. The time for state police is now. We are calling on the President. We are calling on the governors, the members of the National Assembly and the State Assemblies to set the ball rolling and we also calling on the traditional rulers, religious leaders and all leaders of thought to come behind this idea of state police.”
“But to ensure that it is done in a way that it delivers efficiency and doesn’t encourage abuse. That is the next thing to be done. And we hope we will not lose this opportunity,” he noted.
Presenting a compelling case for the establishment of state police as a solution to the prevailing security crisis, Akande said, “Only on Wednesday in Guso the Capital city of Zamfara State, the Governor of the state Dauda Lawal, led other Northwest Governors at a widely attended rally preceded over by retired General Aliyu Gusau. The passing out parade of what is called the Zamfara Protection Guard, speaks to the imperative of local policing before that time.”
Continuing, “We have seen the rise of Amotekun in Southwest, Abube Agu in Southeast and after the Christmas Eve attack in Plateau and by the way another sad event in Plateau recently. The governors in the North Central also came together with the idea of having some kind of local policing.
“Therefore, it is very clear that across the country length and breadth, everyone seems to have come to the conclusion that state police is going to be a better idea.”
“It makes sense with all the insecurities in the country, we can no longer have one commander of the police in Abuja directing what is happening in the 36 states of the country,” Akande concluded.
