The Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has proposed merging the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) as a department within the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), rather than establishing State Police structures.
Egbetokun made this suggestion during his address at the National Dialogue on State Policing, organized by the House of Representatives in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) in Abuja on Monday.
Represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Ben Okolo, the Police chief stressed the need to increase the annual police recruitment by at least 30,000 to meet the United Nations (UN) ratio, Leadership reported.
He also called for enhanced budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Police Force to ensure effective training of personnel in modern policing techniques and to address various challenges facing the Force.
The IGP expressed concerns that establishing State Police could potentially be exploited by governors for political or personal interests, leading to human rights violations and security risks.
He highlighted the existing challenges within the police force, including inadequate manpower, operational equipment, training facilities, and accommodation, which have hampered the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.
In lieu of creating State Police, Egbetokun recommended merging the NSCDC and FRSC into the Nigeria Police Force, increasing annual police recruitment, and enhancing budgetary allocations for modern policing training and infrastructure development.
“The police leadership is recommending the following instead of creating state police; merging the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Corps as a Department under the Nigeria Police
“Yearly of police recruitment should be increased by at least 30,000 to meet the United Nations requirements. Increase in the budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Police Force. Effective training of personnel in modern policing to enhance efficiency,” he stated.
Similarly, Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Geidam, cautioned against the potential political interference and human rights abuses associated with State Police.
“Establishment of state police is not without its demerits; one of them is political interference. Oversight and accountability are paramount and must be put in place to ensure the interference is reduced. An implementation roadmap is essential for successful operation,” he argued.
