President Muhammadu Buhari has made his stand known concerning the call for the establishment of state police in the country, saying even though it is a good initiative, he does not believe in it or wants to be a part of it.
The Punch quoted President Buhari as saying: “It may be more efficient, which was why I congratulated the governor of Lagos state (Akinwunmi Ambode) when he started the Lagos State Neighbourhood Corps. It’s a good initiative.”
The report said the president, who spoke in a recorded interview aired on Arise TV on Monday night, said even though the state police is good, it could be problematic in the long run.
He argued that most states could not afford to pay the salaries of their workers.
“Lagos state is richer than the federal government. How many states are there that can pay salaries and you now ask them to go and form state Police?
“And, do you know what can happen if you can’t feed the police? Do you just give him uniform and a gun but can’t pay him salaries for six months?
“It’s going to be a problem and I don’t want to be a part of it,” Buhari said.
Buhari, however, lamented that the Nigeria Police Force had not met expectations adding that this is why soldiers are seen on the streets.
“I have a problem with the police and I told them that, from my training and experience, the police are supposed to be in the front line.
“Now, Nigerians are seeing soldiers on the streets. This is not good for the police and I told them this some months ago,” he said.
We earlier reported that Nigeria’s vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, November 12, in Lagos maintained that he is an advocate of fiscal federalism, stronger state governments and the establishment of ‘state police’.
Osinbajo made this submission as he delivered the 40th anniversary lecture of the Association of Friends.
Speaking on Restructuring and the Nigerian federation, Osinbajo said good governance was what Nigeria needed rather than geographical restructuring.
Also, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state recently called for the establishment of state police to curb crime in the country.
Ajimobi made the call at the inauguration of the Oyo state safe city control centre aimed at improving the security network in the state.
