Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approval for the establishment of State Police across the states of the federation. And called on the National Assembly to urgently review existing laws for it’s implementation.
The call is part of efforts to address the rising insecurity across the country, which many believe states police would help to curb.
Tinubu made this call in a statement on Wednesday while declaring a nationwide security emergency.
He said, “I call on the National Assembly to begin reviewing our laws to allow States that require state police to establish them.
The President also added that his “administration will support State Governments which have set up security outfits to safeguard their people from the terrorists bent on disrupting our national peace.”
This is as he urged educational and religious institutions in remote or high-risk locations to ensure constant police presence.
He said, “States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security.
“Mosques and churches should constantly seek police and other security protection when they gather for prayers, especially in vulnerable areas.”
The President’s call for state police forms part of a broader security strategy, which includes recruiting 20,000 additional police officers. And the deployment of trained forest guards, and reinforcing the Armed Forces in troubled regions of the country.
Recall that just recently, Tinubu authorized the police to recruit 20,000 new officers, bringing the total to 50,000. He has also approved the use of National Youth Service Corps camps as temporary training facilities.
Making the pronouncement, Tinubu said, “My fellow Nigerians, this is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas.
“The times require all hands on deck. As Nigerians, we should all get involved in securing our nation,” Tinubu said.
The President also directed the Department of State Services to deploy trained forest guards to flush out bandits and terrorists hiding in forests. He directed the service to recruit more personnel for forest operations.
Tinubu reiterated that officers withdrawn from VIP duties should undergo crash training before redeployment to critical areas.