* Gen Abubakar, Jonathan, others at dialogue
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has argued that Nigeria is not yet mature and ready for the establishment of State-controlled police force.
IGP Egbetokun spoke on Monday during the ongoing national dialogue on State police organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja.
Represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Ben Okolo, Egbetokun, who spoke on the theme, “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria”, said: “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 national dialogue is the beginning of deliberations on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (alteration) bill 2023 (Establishment of State Police) sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and 13 others.
The proposal in the bill, designed to improve public safety and strengthen law enforcement in Nigeria by decentralising the police, also provides for State police force alongside the Federal police.
It outlines a constitutional framework for states that choose to establish and maintain their service.
While giving his welcome remarks, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who also chairs the House Constitution Review Committee, said that the bill “aims to clarify the scope of the powers and responsibilities of the federal and state police, and to provide for their funding and oversight.”
A former military Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (red.), former President Goodluck Jonathan and retired Catholic Archbishop, John Onaiyekan are some of the dignitaries participating in the national dialogue.
