Nigeria – The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has voiced his opposition to the establishment of state police in Nigeria. According to the police chief, the country is not yet ready for such a development.
Egbetokun made these remarks while speaking at a one-day dialogue on state policing. He argued that the establishment of state police would exacerbate ethnic tensions and lead to divided loyalties within the states.
“The establishment of state police at this time will only serve to aggravate ethnic tension and could potentially lead to divided loyalty in the states,” Egbetokun said. “We must consider the unique complexities of our nation before making such a significant change to our policing structure.”
The Inspector General’s stance comes amid ongoing debates about the decentralization of policing powers in Nigeria. Advocates for state police argue that it would bring policing closer to the people and improve the effectiveness of law enforcement. However, opponents like Egbetokun worry about the potential for misuse of power and the exacerbation of ethnic tensions.
Egbetokun urged for a more cautious approach, suggesting that Nigeria should focus on improving the existing national police force before considering the establishment of state police.
As the dialogue on state policing continues, the comments from the Inspector General of Police are sure to add a significant perspective to the debate. It remains to be seen how these discussions will shape the future of policing in Nigeria.
