Yesterday, the Governors Forum set up a six man committee to fashion out modalities for the establishment of state police. The committee was made up of representatives from the six geopolitical zones. The Chairman of the Forum, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari who made this known while briefing State House correspondents stated that the move was prompted by the peculiarity of security challenges confronting the various states.
The meeting also had in attendance the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris. According to Gov. Yari “We discussed and we received presentation from the Inspector General of Police. He made a presentation to us canvassing for support to introduce media outfits, radio and television for the force and as well the Police to go technological, away from the manual ways of doing things"
"The Inspector General of Police also made us to know that there is a kind of trust fund bill which is before the National Assembly. He asked for our support and the members of the national assembly especially the House of Representatives. On our own part, we have put a committee in place. It is headed by the governors of Kwara, Imo, Delta, Ekiti, Bauchi and Sokoto to lead the committee so that they can be able to interface with the committee of Police and take the matter before the Acting President for further action. It is important for our nation."
“And as well there is the issue of kind of state police which is being discussed and we came up with so many options which the committee will harmonize.
The IGP in his remarks stated that the country is currently being confronted by several security challenges ranging from kidnapping to armed robbery, piracy, communal clashes, vandalism and insurgency among others. He maintained that for these challenges to be addressed, stakeholders needed to meet regularly to share ideas hence the meeting with the Governors Forum.
According to him, "We had a fruitful discussion with them and obviously all of them are concerned about security in the country. They are ready to support the Police Force to see how we can address some of the challenges.”
