By Mohammed Bello Doka
The Lagos State House of Assembly has strongly opposed the stance of Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, who declared Nigeria unfit for state police establishment.
Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the Speaker of the House, has directed the Clerk to convey the Assembly's disapproval to the IGP and the National Assembly, citing the imperative need for state police amidst rising security challenges.
At a recent dialogue on state policing, IGP Egbetokun argued against state police, expressing concerns over potential ethnic tensions and divided loyalties. Instead, he proposed merging the FRSC and NSCDC with the police force.
However, during a plenary session, Speaker Obasa countered, highlighting the inefficiencies of current security agencies in tackling crime. He emphasized the necessity of state police, drawing parallels with policing models in other countries like the UK and USA.
Echoing the Speaker's sentiments, lawmakers affirmed the existence of de facto state police through local security outfits across Nigerian states. They criticized the IGP's stance, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptable security measures to address the prevailing insecurity nationwide.
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