Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has pooh-poohed the proposal to have in place state police amid the insecurity plaguing Nigeria.
The establishment of state police in the face of the prevailing insecurity is gaining wide traction with sixteen state governments said to have given their imprimatur.
Speaking at a national dialogue on the issue themed, “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria,” Egbetokun said the country is not ripe to go that route.
The police boss spoke by proxy as he was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police.
Citing reasons it would be improper to allow the proposal to come through, Egbetokun said, “It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.
“State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.
“There would also be a conflict of jurisdiction.’’
He averred that state governments are incapable of funding the type of police system the country requires, adding that instead the federal government should embark on a yearly recruitment of about 30,000 police personnel into the force annually to meet the United Nations (UN) requirement for modern policing.
