By Paul Efiong
ABUJA – Determined to tackle Nigeria’s security challenge, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo Tuesday, disclosed that the federal government has resolved to employ State Policing.
The Acting President was speaking during a public presentation of the book ‘Law on Prevention and Dictation of Crimes by the Police in Nigeria’ authored by the immediate past Inspector General of Police(IGP) Solomon Arase in Abuja on Monday.
Osinbanjo, who stressed the need for state police in Nigeria, noted that if implemented, legal framework will be put in place to checkmate state governors from misusing the force against the voice of the opposition in their respective states.
The Acting President who was represented by His Senior Special Adviser of Political Affairs, Senator Baba Femi Ojudu, further lamented the negative perception against the the police adding that most parents never wish their children joining the force.
While commending the police for their role in stemming the tide of insecurity in the country, Ojudu disclosed how he used to be arrested and detained by the police who should have been his friends because of carrying out his professional duties to the state as a journalist.
He maintained that once the state police is operational in the country, each state will like to create more serene atmosphere in competition for others to follow, citing example from the media where the masses could choose to watch any channel of their choice.
In his address the author of the book, former IGP Solomon Arase, said that the book which is one out of series of books he has written was strongly motivated by his passion for knowledge.
While wishing the President Muhammed Buhari quick recovery, he noted that the police as a law enforcement agency should be able to discharge their duties according to the law.
The former IGP, further spoke about his foundation, stating that the proceed from his book would be channelled to addressing the challenges of those in need.
While recommending the book for all and sundry including all in the rank and file of the Nigeria Police Force, the military and indeed, all Nigerians stressed that knowledge of the law is specifically needed for all, hence the book becomes a must read for all.
In his address, the former governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke who was also the chairman of the occasion pointed out that Nigeria needs state police as well as the State Police Regulatory Commission which will check over bearing attitude of its personnel.
Duke also urged the police to always organise regular training for its men and officers, noting that some of them currently in the force cannot distinguished their left and right.
He narrated excruciating experience of how some police personnel during his tenure as a governor arrested, brutalised and detained some innocent women, whom they accused of wondering in the night until after his intervention through his chief of staff before they were released.
The former governor also revealed that the current statistics made available to him shows that the country is under policed, saying that Nigeria at present is made up of about 200,000, 000 in population while the Nigeria Police Force Personnel nationwide is about 35,0000 only.
It would be recalled that the last National Conference Convoked by former President Goodluck Jonathan had made over 6,000 recommendations to the government as the solution to Nigeria’s lingering problem including the creation of state policing system.
