IG, Conference of Speakers clash over creation of state police – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

IG, Conference of Speakers clash over creation of state police

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun

IG, Conference of Speakers clash over creation of state police

Inspector-General (IG) Kayode Egbetokun and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly clashed yesterday over agitations for the creation of state police.

They spoke at the constitutional review legislative dialogue on the national security architecture tagged: “Nigeria’s peace and security: the constitutional imperative”.

The dialogue was organised by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Advancing his opposition to the proposal, which had been adopted by governors, Egbetokun said that rather than create state police, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) should be strengthened and well-funded to carry out its constitutional responsibility.

But the Speakers’ Conference, through its Chairman Adebo Ogundoyin (Oyo State) said the security challenges in the country can better be addressed with a multi-level policing which include allowing for the establishment of state police.

According to Egbetokun, the NPF is constitutionally established under Section 214(1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which provides that “there shall be a police force for Nigeria which shall be known as the Nigerian Police Force and subject to the provisions of this section, no other police force shall be established for the federation or any part thereof.

READ ALSO:

“Furthermore, Section 215(1) provides for the appointment of the Inspector-General of Police by the President on the advice of the Nigerian Police Council (NPC). It also places the operational command  and administration  of the force under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police.

He argued that the constitutional provisions clarify the  centralised character of policing and the operational authority entrusted to the IGP under the supervision  of the President and Police Council.

The police boss said: “As we gather here this morning (yesterday) to review the constitutional underpinnings of our security framework, we must admit that legal centralisation without operational decentralisation has imposed on the NPF to effectively discharge its mandate across Nigeria’s diverse terrain.

“Our national security landscape is growing increasingly complex. From the insurgency in the northeast, banditry and kidnapping in Northwest  and central regions, to secessionist violence in the southeast, and piracy  in the Gulf of Guinea, we are confronted with a multi-faceted  array of tracks, each exposing gaps not only in our security capabilities, but more fundamentally in our constitutional architecture  and constitutional  institutional coordination mechanisms.”

Ogundoyin, Oyo State Houses of Assembly Speaker, restated his colleagues unwavering commitment to strengthen the nation’s security institutions and will continue to inspire confidence in the connected resolve to safeguard this nation.

He said: “As the Speaker’s House of Assembly nationwide, we know exactly where the issue pinches when it comes to a security because we all face our various types of insecurity in our states.

“We know that the president’s commitment is unwavering  in strengthening our security institutions and to continue to inspire confidence in our collective resolve.

READ ALSO:

“From insurgency in the northeast, banditry and kidnapping in the Northwest and Northcentral to herders’ and farmers’ clashes in the Northcentral and also all across the South which directly affects food security which is another issue that  is very important for us to address and protect.

“Therefore, this is an opportunity to align our legislative priorities with the realities faced by our people ensuring that the constitutional and legal framework of security evolves to be the present and future challenges of the Nigerian police force and other agencies who despite working under extreme challenging conditions continue to make sacrifices to protect our nation.

“Yet, it is now evident that centralised policing structure,  no matter how well intentioned, has become overstretched. It is on this basis the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, subscribe partially to the establishment of state police and constitutional imperative.

“This is not a mere political position, it is a patriotic and strategic necessity. We recognise that the concerns have been raised regarding the potential abuse, the capacity, the limitations and inter-jurisdictional conflict.

“But these are not insurmountable challenges because everyone at the present situation of things. The Nigeria Police Force also face challenges and the state government across the federation also support them in their own day-to-day work.

“With constitutional safeguards, clear command structures, legislative clarity, independent oversight mechanisms, and well-defined frameworks for inter-agency collaboration, state police can become a force for justice, accountability and grassroots protection.

“This is the voice of subnational in this federation.  Whether we like it or not, we have to recognize that the 36 states and the FCT make up Nigeria, and the Nigerian people are here calling for state police. However, we’ll get it done.

“We recognise the concerns also that. Beyond state policing, the conference also lends its voice to the need for enhanced intelligence sharing and interagency coordination, improved funding, training and welfare for security personnel, a stronger legal framework to address emerging threats such as cybercrime, transnational terrorism and arms reformation.”

IG, Conference of Speakers clash over creation of state police

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

Published

12 hours ago

on

July 15, 2025

By

Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Olumuyiwa Adejobi

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has detained two suspects, Yunusa Abdullahi and Peace Keno Danlami, in connection with the murder of Chen Wang, a Chinese national who was allegedly stabbed to death in his office early this year.

Wang, an employee at WH Great Resource Ltd. in Ogere, was assassinated on January 12, 2025.

According to a statement made on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, and forwarded by the Ogun State Command spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, the victim died from stab wounds to the chest.

The police stated, “The incident, which occurred on January 12, 2025, drew immediate attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call regarding the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises. Preliminary findings revealed that the deceased had suffered fatal stab wounds to the chest.”

The police added, “The event, which occurred on January 12, 2025, gained rapid attention when the Ogun State Police Command received a distress call about the discovery of Mr Wang’s lifeless body within his office premises.

READ ALSO:

According to preliminary findings, the deceased died as a result of deadly stab wounds to the chest.

“In line with the strategic policing mandate of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Nigeria Police Force Technical Intelligence Unit was promptly mobilised to provide high-level operational and technological support,” the statement read.

Investigators determined that two manufacturing workers, believed to be in a romantic relationship, took advantage of reduced staffing on the day of the incident.

Odutola added, “While on overtime duty, they allegedly disabled the company’s security system, unlawfully accessed Mr Wang’s office and committed the fatal attack. They subsequently stole the keys to his residence, which they later burgled before fleeing the state with stolen cash.”

Following several weeks of surveillance and tactical cooperation, operatives from the Force Headquarters and Ogun SCID located and apprehended Abdullahi, 25, of Borno State, and Danlami, 20, of Taraba State, on July 14 in Jos, Plateau State, where they were hiding under fictitious names.

“The swift deployment of digital forensics, biometric analysis, and human intelligence by the Nigeria Police played a decisive role in bringing the perpetrators to justice,” the statement noted.

According to the statement, the Inspector General praised the Ogun State Police Command and the Force Technical Intelligence Unit for their professionalism and dedication.

The IG also reassured the public about the police’s continuous efforts to protect both citizens and foreign nationals through proactive and precision-led investigations.

“The suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of ongoing investigations,” the statement added.

Police arrest killers of Chinese national in Ogun

Continue Reading

metro

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

Published

12 hours ago

on

July 15, 2025

By

Police Public Relations Officer of the Edo State Command, Moses Yamu

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

The Chief Imam of Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has regained his freedom after spending five harrowing days in the hands of his abductors.

Sheikh Muhammad was released on Saturday, July 13, bringing relief to the Uromi Muslim community and his family, who had been anxiously awaiting his safe return.

The respected Islamic cleric was abducted on Monday, July 8, at the Angle 90 area of Uromi. According to reports, he had stepped out of his residence to buy food for his family when he was forcefully taken by unidentified gunmen.

READ ALSO:

The kidnappers however called the family members and demanded ransom of N30 million but Daily Trust couldn’t confirm the payment of the ransom.

The Edo State police command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, said intense and sustained pressure from the police and the local vigilante led to the release of the kidnapped chief Imam.

He said investigation is ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping of the victim with a view to track and arrest the perpetrators.

Yamu, who said the Chief Imam is in stable condition, added that he has since been reunited with his family.

While charging the public to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police with timely and credible information, he said no stone will be left unturned in identifying and apprehending those behind the kidnapping.

Kidnapped Chief Imam of Uromi regains freedom

Continue Reading

metro

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

Published

12 hours ago

on

July 15, 2025

By

Former Special Adviser to the President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

Former presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has addressed the controversy surrounding the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital, offering a candid defense of the late leader’s decision to seek medical care abroad.

Speaking during a live broadcast on Channels Television as part of the special funeral coverage, Adesina responded to criticisms over Buhari’s long-standing reliance on foreign healthcare.

According to Adesina, those questioning why Buhari passed away in a UK hospital are missing the bigger picture. He stated firmly that Buhari had been receiving treatment in the United Kingdom long before he became president in 2015, and added that relying solely on Nigeria’s health system could have cost him his life much earlier.

READ ALSO:

“President Buhari had been using London hospitals for years, even before he assumed office. His doctors over there were familiar with his history,” Adesina said.

He added that expecting the former president to abandon the doctors who understood his condition would have been unreasonable.

According to Adesina, many Nigerian hospitals do not have the medical expertise or advanced equipment necessary to handle the health challenges Buhari faced.

“Let’s be honest with ourselves: if he had depended on our local hospitals for that particular health issue, he may not have survived it. And perhaps, we would have lost him a long time ago,” he stated.

Discovererngr.com reports that Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, is being buried Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with full state honours.

Buhari could have died earlier relying on Nigerian hospitals – Adesina

Continue Reading

Trending