State police needed to tackle crime, Lagos assembly tells IGP

The Lagos State House of Assembly has criticised the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, for “rejecting” establishment of state police.

The IGP, at a national dialogue on state police organised by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had opposed the establishment of state police, saying the “state governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.”

Egbetokun represented by AIG Ben Okolo, added that, states do not have the resources to support state police.

Okolo later made a U turn, saying the stance on the state police was his and not that the position of the IGP.

Speaking at the plenty on Monday, the Speaker of Lagos Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, directed the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to write the IGP and the National Assembly stating that the state lawmakers reject Egbetokun’s position.

Obasa noted that despite the existing federal police, insecurity still persists in the country.

“In Lagos State, we have the Security Trust Fund through which successive administrations starting from that of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have provided enormous support to the police command in Lagos State. Yet, crime of different dimensions has continued.

“This shows that no matter what Egbetokun has proffered as solution, such won’t solve our problem. The position of the IGP is unacceptable.

“We strongly believe that if we have state police, we would be able to solve the issues of crime in our nation or reduce it to the minimum,” Obasa said.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for his resolve to end insecurity in the country.

Commending the Speaker for his stand on the issue of state police, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1, argued that with its current structure, it would be difficult for the Nigeria Police Force to effectively secure the country.

Also declaring his support for state police, another lawmaker, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh (Ajeromi/Ifelodun 1), said each Nigerian state currently has a local security outfit in the semblance of state police.

“Today, which state does not have state police one way or the other? This is a cause that should be supported. For the IG to come out and say state police is not in the interest of Nigeria shows he is not considering the reality of insecurity on Nigerians,” he said.