The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has expressed concerns regarding the idea of state policing in Nigeria. He was speaking during a national dialogue on state policing held in Abuja on Monday.
Expressing his opposition on the subject, the IGP argued that Nigeria is not mature for the establishment of state-controlled police forces in Nigeria despite the country’s numerous security challenges. He was represented by AIG Ben Okolo at the event organized by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
He further highlighted concerns about the potential for abuse of power by state political leadership if state police forces were established cautioning that state governors could exploit their control over these police forces for political or personal gain, potentially undermining human rights and security.
The dialogue, titled ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria,’ provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the feasibility and implications of state policing in the country. However, the IGP’s stance reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s position that state policing could pose significant risks in the current political and social context.
While acknowledging the need for effective policing and addressing security challenges, the IGP emphasized the importance of maintaining centralized control over law enforcement to prevent potential abuses of power.
