President Bola Tinubu, and states governors are considering the implementation of state police.
This was disclosed by the Minister of information Mohammed Idris Malagi, on Thursday.
“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The federal government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police.
“Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. Both the federal government and the state governments agree to the necessity of having state police, now this is a significant shift. But like I said, more work needs to be done in that direction,” Malagi added.
The president’s meeting with the governors comes amid a recent surge in insecurity across the country. Various armed groups operate in different parts of the country, exploiting the absence of police and local administration.
There are almost daily reports of kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country. Last month, in the Federal Capital Territory, a family of six, comprising female siblings and their father, were kidnapped.
In some states such as Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara, the bandits operate from forests and forest reserves.
To address this, Mr Idris said, President Tinubu and the state governors discussed the possibility of improving the numerical strength of forest rangers and training them so that they can keep forests and borders safe.
Malagi said that attendees at the meeting agreed on the need for state police but more discussions are still needed on how to implement it.
On food crisis, National Security Adviser, Director General of State Services, and Inspector General of Police have been directed to collaborate with state governors in addressing hoarding concerns, particularly in the wake of soaring commodity prices.
The leaders emphasised the need for enhanced investments in agriculture to combat food shortages, declaring a halt to food importation to bolster Nigeria’s self-sufficiency and potential as a net exporter.
“At this point, the nation requires food to be brought out to the people so that we can control prices and put food on the table of most Nigerians, other commodity traders are busy hoarding these commodities so that Nigerians will suffer or they will make more money as a result,” the minister said.
