The Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo has called for the creation of state police amid increasing security challenges in the country. He made the call on Thursday at a National Assembly security summit, as he believes this would help tighten security across the nation.
According to him, the state policing system is the way to go because having a centralized system – as is currently practiced, cannot effectively secure the nation.
Despite calling for the creation of state police, Professor Osinbajo also wants the Nigerian Police Force to be strengthened and proposed that the current number of police in the country be tripled.
He also called for more funding for the police as well as other security agencies.
His comments come at a time when the police have come under criticism with some questioning its ability to effectively play its role.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives called for the removal of the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, and the Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, after condemning their actions and utterances in connection with the killings in Benue.
While the lawmakers wanted the IGP out for his “failings”, they condemned the PPRO for referring to the Benue State Governor as a “drowning man”.
The killings in Benue and some other parts of the country which have been blamed on herdsmen, have also led to criticism for President Buhari.
But Vice President Osinbajo rejected insinuations that the President is ignoring the killings by herdsmen because he is Fulani. He said no other issue preoccupies the President as much as the killings in the country.
The VP, therefore, warned stakeholders not to allow the conflict between herdsmen and farmers assume ethnic and religious dimensions.
The two-day summit which is taking place at the NAF Conference Center, Ahmadu Bello Way, Abuja, is aimed at providing an all-inclusive platform for finding long-term solutions to the security challenges in Nigeria.