By DAYO ADESULU
NEC Meeting: State Police Takes Center Stage
The debate over establishing state-controlled policing in Nigeria gained momentum as all 36 states submitted their positions, with a majority endorsing the proposal.
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, revealed this development following the 147th National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
“From what is available, virtually most of the states are in agreement with the establishment of state police in Nigeria. Most of us are in agreement that this is the way forward to address insecurity,” Sani stated.
Challenges Driving Consensus for State Police
The consensus reflects growing concerns about the limitations of the centralized Nigerian Police Force in addressing security challenges:
- Ungoverned Spaces: Many regions remain inadequately policed, leaving communities vulnerable to crime and insecurity.
- Shortage of Security Personnel: Insufficient manpower across the police, army, and related agencies has heightened the need for localized solutions.
Sani argued that state-controlled policing could close these gaps, bringing law enforcement closer to communities and improving response times.
NEC Defers Final Decision to January 2024
While the states largely favor the proposal, NEC deferred final discussions to January. This delay allows the NEC Secretariat to prepare a comprehensive report for deliberation.
“Today, the Council decided to step down the discussion until the next meeting because we need to come up with a detailed report from the secretariat,” Sani explained.
Additionally, the Council called for further stakeholder engagements to refine the implementation framework.
Timeline of the State Police Debate
The journey toward state-controlled policing has seen significant milestones:
- February 2024: Talks on state police began during an emergency meeting between President Bola Tinubu and state governors.
- March 2024: 16 states submitted their positions on the proposal.
- April 2024: The Nigeria Governors’ Forum announced that the remaining 20 states were ready to submit their reports.
- November 2024: NEC mandated the final three states and the FCT to submit their reports, ensuring all 36 states participated.
Key Arguments for and Against State Police
Proponents Say:
- Enhanced Localized Policing: Brings law enforcement closer to communities for quicker response and better understanding of regional security issues.
- Increased Effectiveness: Provides states with autonomy to address unique security challenges.
- Community Engagement: Empowers communities to collaborate with law enforcement for improved safety.
Critics Argue:
- Risk of Abuse: Potential misuse of state police by politically dominant administrations.
- Regional Tensions: Fear of exacerbating tribal and regional divisions.
- National Unity: Concerns over weakening central authority and coordination.
Next Steps for Implementation
The success of state-controlled policing depends on:
- Constitutional Amendments: Empowering states to establish and manage police forces.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Aligning federal and state government efforts to avoid duplication and inefficiencies.
- Public Oversight Mechanisms: Ensuring transparency and accountability to prevent abuse.
Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, emphasized the urgency of accelerating the process while addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“The Council is determined to hasten the process to ensure swift implementation. Bureaucracy has caused delays, but we are committed to delivering results,” he stated.
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