Thursday 22 February 2018

Wither Nigeria: National or State Police?

NOW that there appears to be consensus but not unanimity on the desirability of State Police, let me serve a caveat before its implementation. But before then, may I adumbrate my understanding of the concept of State Police.
Concept of a State Police.
Policemen on training
Simply put, State Police means the absence of a National Police Force. It means a locally controlled Police Force. The Police Forces in the state will not be under the control or supervision of the Inspector- General of Police. Rather, it will be the responsibility of the Governors of states to maintain law and order without the interference of the Inspector-General of Police or the President.
In other words, section 214 of the 1999 Constitution as amended which provides for the whole country, Nigeria, a single Police Force and prohibits the establishment of any other Police Force for Nigeria, has to be further amended.
Concomitantly, section 215(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended has to be altered to remove the authorisation of the President or the Minister to give direction to the IGP on the maintenance of law and order and public safety.
Similarly, the Proviso in section 215(4)of the Constitution which requires that the direction given to the CP by the Governor of a state may be referred to the President, has to be amended. This proviso has, in fact, to be deleted in order to have a State Police.
Caveat
I wish to remind all that sometime in the 80s, the Federal Government experimented with State Police but had to revert to status quo. All officers from DSP downwards, including Inspectors and Rank and File were transferred to their states of origin. The result of the experiment was revealing. Some states do not have enough manpower.
Others had more manpower than they required. More importantly, attainment of Justice was threatened in the states. Non-native civilians residing in the states other than theirs could not get justice.
Have you also averted your mind to impending conflicts that may arise in

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