Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized on Monday that the implementation of state police would enhance internal security across the nation.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the Directorate of Media and Publicity, Office of the Senate Leader, Bamidele underscored the necessity for state police due to the current ineffective police system.
He acknowledged the urgent need for an alternative security approach, stating, “It is apparent that the existing police framework is faltering and ineffective in safeguarding human lives and national assets, given the complex security landscape of the Fourth Republic.”
Bamidele highlighted the prolonged discourse surrounding the establishment of state police, attributing it to escalating armed assaults instigated by various factions with divisive or exploitative motives in all regions.
He argued that Nigeria’s rapid population growth, now numbering approximately 229 million, demands a departure from the centralized security model, advocating for a more decentralized system to address internal security threats adequately.
Comparing the current police-to-citizen ratio of 1:650, as disclosed by Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, with the United Nations’ recommended ratio of 1:460 for sovereign states, Bamidele stressed the inadequacy of the prevailing centralized approach.
He contended that the ongoing constitutional review presents an opportune moment for stakeholders to redefine governance structures and reformulate security frameworks. Bamidele asserted that acknowledging the flaws in the existing system is pivotal in realizing the imperative for adopting state police as a viable solution to the multifaceted security challenges confronting the nation.
