*Says it may be instrument of oppression, vendetta
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has expressed reservations about the integrity of State Police, arguing that Nigeria is not mature for it at this time.
Zulum said this while delivering a lecture at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State, on Thursday.
He noted that a decentralised Police system would complicate security challenges in the country. He feared that elected governors might use it to harass and intimidate people of other tribes.
“Honestly speaking, I, Babagana Zulum, will not support it, not because I don’t like it, but because of the implications,” he said.
“Nigeria is not mature for state Police. Some state governors can use it to wipe away other tribes apart from their tribes.
“So, we have to be very careful. If half of the power given to the Nigeria Army, Police and others are given to state Police, Nigeria will be in problem.”
The governor’s comments are coming weeks after a bill seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution to accommodate the creation of state police has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives.