President Bola Tinubu has pledged to reform the Nigeria Police and enhance the national security architecture.
Tinubu made the pledge on Monday at a one-day National Dialogue on State Policing with the theme “Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria,” held at the Abuja Continental Hotel.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president observed that the idea of state policing was not just a mere policy proposal but a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework.
He said that state police would create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner that would closely address the various demands of communities across the country.
Tinubu said that his administration was well aware of the complex security issues confronting Nigeria and, as such, was continually developing and refining its strategies and methods to address the challenges effectively.
His words: “The commitment of my administration to reform the police force and enhance security at both the national and state levels is unwavering.
“We view the outcomes of today’s deliberations as crucial inputs that will guide the government’s actions towards reforming the institution of the police and achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria.”
Tinubu implored the participants in the dialogue to look at the idea of state policing from multiple angles.
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“In our deliberations, let us consider the implications of state policing from multiple perspectives.
“We must evaluate its potential to improve response times to emergencies, adapt to specific local challenges, and increase accountability.
“At the same time, we must address concerns related to the standardization of training, oversight, and the safeguarding of civil liberties.
“Our dialogue today should also be seen as an opportunity to listen, understand, and propose solutions that bridge gaps.
“It is essential that this forum is not the end but the beginning of an ongoing conversation on the issue of police and security sector reform in our country,” he added.
The president expressed delight that the 10th House of Representatives, under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, had keyed into the idea of state policing. He said that the involvement of the legislature in executive reform proposals ensured continuity and synergy.
Tinubu urged participants to explore every option with the seriousness and diligence.
Dr Goodluck Jonathan commended the organizers of the event, saying the platform should provide suggestions on the framework for state police system.
“There is no need to debate about state police. The issues of state police and Coast Guards were accepted at the 2014 National Conference”, said the former president.
Jonathan said the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies at the border were not trained to deal with criminal gangs and urged the government to concentrate on how to manage the state police in a way that it would not be hijacked by the political class.
Jonathan recommended that the Act establishing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, be rejigged so that the police were not used for election malpractices and stuffing of the ballot boxes in states.
Former Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, maintained that in order to make peace and ensure a safe society, governors must be transparent, responsible, and honest, as well as make the citizens go about their normal businesses.
He said the government should make laws to provide for an orderly environment, urging citizens to stop destroying or vandalizing public properties.
He also advised that the traditional rulers should be given roles to play and be engaged in maintaining peace and order in their respective domains.
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