STATE POLICE: ADENEKAN TACKLES INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE (IGP). ..... Says Creation Of State Police Essential In Addressing Rising Surge Of Insecurity

David Adenekan

"The calls against creation of state police is diversionary, a waste of time and most importantly, an attempt at holding firmly to operational powers by the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun." Adenekaan

A political analyst and security expert, Prince David Adenekan has called on the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to throw his weight behind the call for the creation of State Police as that would greatly checkmate the rising spate of insecurity across the country.

Adenekan stated this on Monday from Chicago, Illinois via a telephone call from Naij News Alert in response to supports for the clamour for establishment of state police, stressing that it would greatly assist the security agencies, especially the police in responding to insecurity challenges instead of waiting for operational clearance from the Force Headquarters in Abuja while so much harm has taken place.

He noted that former President Goodluck Jonathan, at an event on Monday 22nd of April organized by the Federal House of Representatives in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, supported the establishment of state police, noting that the position of some group or individuals in the society against establishment of a state managed police force be discarded. 

Adenekan, in his phone interview described the calls against creation of state police as diversionary, a waste of time and most importantly, an attempt at holding firmly to operational powers by the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

He wondered why the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun would be opposed to the establishment of state police, stressing that it would only confirm his uncomfortable position of losing his powers as police boss, which unfortunately is unnecessary and unreal.

According to the security analyst, "the real reason why he, the IGP is opposing the establishment of a state police is the fact that, it will whittle down his powers and functions as the number one law enforcement officer in the country."

"Also, the clearances a state governor must get from the federal police in Abuja to quell any form of strife would now become a thing of the past as every state governor will now take full charge of their states internal security." Adenekan stated.

He counseled the Inspector General of Police to allow for a decentralization of powers especially as it relates to management of the security personnel and apparatus' in the various states, to enable the governors who are Chief Security Officers of their respective states to perform their constitutional duties to protect life and property.

"The demand for a state police to fix the rising surge of insecurity across the land cannot be overemphasized." He said.

Adenekan further revealed that in other climes, the states have control over the police in their territories with proper checks on its management, operational roles and activities and where necessary, the Federal Police steps in when the situation demands.

“Paradoxically, this situation could best be described as the voice of Jacob, the hand of Esau."

“Is this not another President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's clandestine master game plan to truncate every effort towards achieving the establishment of a state police? A state police that may also whittle down President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Federal control over the Police and the State Governors." He queried.

Adenekan further wondered why IGP Egbetokun, a strong confidant of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should be so concerned with the establishment of a state police when it will expectedly, provide a well secured country for all. He noted that former military Head of State, General Abdulasalami Abubakar and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan alongside retired Archbishop John Olaiyekan are all in support of the creation of State Police to urgently tackle, the challenges of insecurity that has taken the front stage of discussions.

The two former leaders made known their position during the national dialogue on state policing held in Abuja as part of discussions on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (alteration) Bill 2023 (Establishment of State Police), sponsored ny the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives and 13 others. The Bill aims to enhance public safety and reinforce law enforcement in Nigeria by decentralizing the Police Force.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL.