The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has kicked against proposed state police in Nigeria, arguing that the country is not mature to operate state governments-controlled police, contrary to views of many stakeholders.
Penpushing reports that Egbetokun made this clear on Monday at the dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, adding that rather the National Assembly should merge the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Commission (NSCDC) as departments under the federal police
The Inspector General of Police who was represented by Ben Okolo, an Assistant Inspector General of Police, stressed that the police are opposed to the idea of state police, but urged the lawmakers to properly fund the existing federal policing structure.
Penpushing further reports that Egbetokun emphasized that it is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police.
The number police officer in the country, whose position was met with jeers and loud protests from the audience, however, argued that state policing would further exacerbate the existing ethnic tension in Nigeria.
Penpushing also reports that, the position of the police boss is against the publicly expressed stance of President Bola Tinubu on state policing, as it is recalled that Tinubu in February met with state governors in Abuja during which they considered the possibility of setting up state police.
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