The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has rejected the proposed creation of State Police, labeling it as a “misplaced priority” and a “waste of time” for the Federal Government.
Freedomonline recalls that the Federal Government, had reopened a debate on state police, as President Bola Tinubu declared readiness.
Tinubu made the comment on Wednesday, September 3, at the State House, while receiving members of the North-East Governors’ Forum, led by Prof. Babagana Zulum of Borno.
National President of the NYCN, Isah Abubakar, in a statement issued to newsmen on Thursday in Kaduna, said the initiative would duplicate existing agencies, as well as fail to address fundamental issues plaguing the country’s security architecture.
He emphasised the current security agencies grappling with severe challenges, including chronic underfunding, manpower shortages, insufficient equipment, poor welfare for personnel and widespread allegations of corruption.
Abubakar explained that creating new agencies would compound the problems, rather than solve them, while advocating for the recruitment and training of individuals from their respective states, to serve in the country’s existing Police Force.
He explained that the approach would ensure personnel receive adequate welfare and allowances, thereby addressing current shortcomings.
Abubakar noted that state police forces would inevitably fall under politician control, leading to abuse and violation of citizens’ fundamental human rights.
He also stated that Nigerian politicians were not yet matured enough to handle a security system independent of federal oversight, without misusing its authority.
The NYCN national president then called on the Federal Government to immediately establish a committee to implement a total overhaul and expansion of the county’s police force.
He noted that a nation with over 200 million people required a police force of at least five million, as against the current force of less than 300,000.
According to him, history will vindicate the NYCN, having led the call and urging the federal government to prioritise police reform, over the state police creation.
“Nigerian politicians will abuse the authority of security independence of the state at a time of crucial decisions like this, we must add our voice to say no to state police,” he said.
