FG, Governors Consider Creation of State Police to Tackle Insecurity

The Federal Government of Nigeria and state governors are considering the creation of state police in an effort to curb the heightened insecurity across the country.

This was part of deliberations between President Bola Tinubu and state governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, explained that the process is still in its infancy and would only take shape after more deliberations between stakeholders.

“Now, there is also a discussion around the issue of state police. The Federal Government and the state governments are mulling the possibility of setting up state police,” he said.

He further added: “Of course, this is still going to be further discussed. A lot of work has to be done in that direction. Both the Federal Government and the state governments agree on the necessity of having state police. Now this is a significant shift. But as I said, more work needs to be done in that direction.

“A lot of meetings will have to happen between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals to see the modalities of achieving this. Now, these are some of the issues that have been discussed.”

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESIDENT BOLA TINUBU’S MEETING WITH STATE GOVERNORS TODAY AT THE STATE HOUSE

 *President Bola Tinubu, in the company of Vice President Kashim Shettima, today at the State House, met with the 36 States Governors and the* *FCT Minister. The meeting agreed on common ground for addressing some of the challenges currently* *facing the country, especially the rising cost of food and insecurity.*

 *After extensive deliberations the President and Governors agreed to work together to solve the problems and tackle the economic pressure* *being faced by the citizens.*

 *Below are the key takeaways from the meeting:*

 *1. On addressing insecurity which is also affecting farming and food production, President Tinubu made 3 key pronouncements.*

 *A. More police personnel to be recruited  to strengthen the force.*

 *B. President Tinubu informed the Governors that the Federal Government will work with them and the National Assembly towards putting in* *place a mechanism that will engender state police instead of the vigilantes that are being used in some states.*

 *C. The President charged the Governors to strengthen their Forest Rangers and arm them to keep all the forest safe from criminals.*

 *Modalities for State Police and addressing security issues to be discussed further at National Economic Council.*

 *2. On rising cost of food: The President directed that the State Governments and Federal government should collaborate to increase local food production. The* *President advised against the idea of food importation and price control when local food* *producers should be encouraged to produce  more food.*

 *3. President advised Governors to follow the example of Kano State in dealing with hoarding of food for profiteering by* *commodities merchants. He  directed the Inspector-General of Police, National Security Adviser,* *Department of State Security Services to monitor warehouses hoarding food items across the country and* *stop profiteering by merchants.*

 *4. President charged Governors to pay attention to livestock development in their states and increase production most especially* *poultry and fishing products* .

 *5. President pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to retired workers and pensioners are cleared as* *a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more* *monthly FAAC revenue. Spend the money, don’t spend the people, he urged the governors*

 *6. President Tinubu implored Governors to create more economic opportunities for the youths in their states to* *keep them more productively engaged.*

 Bayo Onanuga