TINUBU’S LAUDABLE STATE POLICE PROPOSAL SHOULD HAVE REGIONAL COMMAND TO REMOVE GENUINE FEARS OF ABUSE BY GOVERNORS – DR OKOYE, FOUNDER, IKEMBA FRONT

Awka – Dr Chidi Okoye, Founder, Ikemba Front has commended the proposal by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in consultation with the 36 state Governors for the institution of State Police, as a means of curbing the high rate of criminality in the country.

However, while speaking to our correspondent on Monday, 26th February, 2024, Okoye, a security expert and CEO, Phillip Smith Security Ltd averred that there was need for a well detailed framework articulated by experts to address grey areas in the proposal, including the fear of politicization and abuse by State Governors.

“Creation of state Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a welcome idea. However, there is need for a well detailed framework articulated by professionals and security experts.I suggest that Foreign security personnel, possibly from the UK or US police departments can come in as consultants, to help develop the framework and train the personnel for the state police and as also the National police.
“We need to be very careful about the political influence of State Governors. There is a general fear that the Governors, who will be directly in charge of these (state) police could influence their work, possibly use them against perceived political opponents, especially during elections. There are also fears that they could be used by Governors for personal solving vendetta and settling of political scores.
According to Dr Okoye, “The fear of politicization of state police by state Governors is REAL and can be effectively addressed by placing the state police under Regional Commands made up of retired Generals, high ranking retired officers of the Police and other security agencies from the region. Nevertheless, there will need will be for their reorientation, in line with global best practices”.
Going further, Dr Okoye buttressed his point with the Nimbo massacre by Fulani herdsmen.
“So, my take is that its a welcome development. Its highly needed. Take for instance, what happened in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani, Enugu State, about 7 years ago. The community was raided by Fulani herdsmen and the community was razed by the herders. Two weeks before then. there was an intelligence that Fulani herdsmen were arriving in droves and camping in bushes around the community. The same intelligence was relayed to the police and the GOC, 82 Division. The then LGA Chairman, Hon Cornell Onwubuya cried, wrote, asked for help, giving information about the impending strike Nothing happened until the day of the strike. They all kept waiting for signal, which never came. The worst issue was that even while the attack was ongoing, the police would still not intervene, not even the Army. The community was massacred. So, am an advocate of state police but the catch for me is having a well articulated framework which will guard against abuse by politician. Every developed society with
Dr Okoye posited that Nigeria was long overdue for state police due to the size of her population, her landmass and as well high level of criminality, as it will go a long way in mitigating against the high rate of kidnapping and other forms of criminality.