The Lagos State Assembly took a firm stance against the position articulated by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, asserting that ‘Nigeria is not ripe for the establishment of state police.’ Speaker of the House, Chief Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, to communicate the Assembly’s dissent to both the Inspector-General and the National Assembly, rejecting Mr. Egbetokun’s viewpoint.
The disagreement arose following remarks made by the IGP at a recent one-day dialogue on state policing themed, ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria.’ The IGP voiced opposition to the establishment of state police, citing concerns about potential ethnic tensions and divided loyalty in the states. He also proposed merging the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps with the police force.
However, during a plenary session on Monday, Chief Obasa criticized the efficacy of merging the FRSC and NSCDC with the police force, highlighting the persistent challenges of road accidents and pipeline vandalism. He emphasized the necessity of state police, citing the ongoing support provided to the Lagos State Police Command through the Security Trust Fund, yet crime rates persist.
Echoing Chief Obasa’s sentiments, Solomon Bonus, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1, underscored the inadequacy of the current structure of the Nigeria Police Force in effectively securing the country. He praised the Speaker for his stance on the issue and advocated for the establishment of state police, aligning with the belief that it could address the nation’s security challenges more effectively.
Similarly, Sa’ad Olumoh, representing Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1 constituency, expressed support for state police, emphasizing the existence of local security outfits in each Nigerian state resembling state police. He criticized the IGP’s dismissal of state police as being contrary to the reality of insecurity faced by Nigerians.
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